Chapter 2, Lingdong, Ji and Jing.
A hundred years ago, the Xun Kingdom suffered a disaster.
The powerful and wealthy families of the capital generously donated to disaster relief, all on a grand scale. The Lin family was the most generous, giving away almost half of their fortune. After the disaster, Emperor Qinyun, who was on the throne at the time, remembered the contributions of these families and bestowed many rewards upon them. He also mentioned the "Four Great Families of the Capital" in court. These four families were: the Lin family of Baiyang, the Zhou family of Hengyu, the Su family of Yulin, and the Zhuo family of Leyu.
For the first time ever, the emperor's words were law, and his pronouncements became the truth. From then on, four great families emerged in the capital city, extremely wealthy and renowned.
Among them, Baiyang Shijia Linju ranks first.
Over the course of a century, through countless changes in the political landscape, the Lin family remains a recognized and prestigious clan, a unique and illustrious family in the world. To prevent this illustriousness from disappearing in their hands, successive heads of the Lin family have spared no effort and meticulously planned every step of the way.
Lin Zhenwei, the current head of the family, is no exception.
He was initially dissatisfied with the marriage contract left by the previous head of the family, Lin Qiwei, who was also his father.
It is true that Ji Yanzhuo, the ancestor of the Ji family, risked his life to save Lin Qiwei, but there are many ways to repay a debt of gratitude, and marriage is not always necessary. At that time, the Ji family was just an ordinary farming family, and they were relatively unknown in Lingdong. Marrying their eldest daughter to such a place was tantamount to sending her there to suffer, and the Lin family would inevitably be gossiped about.
When Lin Qiwei was alive, Lin Zhenwei opposed this matter quite a bit, but the outcome remained unchanged.
Later, Ji and Jing rose to prominence in Lingdong and became a force to be reckoned with by all sides. How to handle this marriage contract was no longer something that the Lin family could decide on their own.
Lin Zhenwei abandoned the idea of annulling the marriage contract and even secretly hoped that the two families could successfully unite through marriage.
A powerful alliance to combat the chaos.
But fate had other plans...
"Sigh." Behind the desk, Lin Zhenwei suddenly sighed, only realizing his mistake the moment the sound escaped his lips.
The old butler Xiao Ming, who had been by his side, noticed this and couldn't help but comfort him gently, "Master, you should rest early. You'll have the energy to deal with all this when you're well-rested, won't you?"
Lin Zhenwei: "How can I sleep? The thought of facing Ji Yujing, especially when I'm in the wrong, makes my head spin."
The details of how Ji Yujing rose from a humble peasant's son to become the de facto King of Lingdong were already common knowledge within Xun Kingdom. A significant portion of the 100,000 soldiers under his command were prisoners exiled to Lingdong from various regions. By successfully controlling this group of vicious criminals, he could be said to have been violating the law from beginning to end; if the emperor were to take it seriously, he could have a legitimate reason to take Ji Yujing's head.
But this kid is too skilled in political maneuvering.
Several years ago, when the Dongshao Kingdom launched an invasion against the border troops stationed by the central government on the eastern border and suffered repeated defeats, he led his team to launch a night raid on the Dongshao Kingdom's garrison supplies and succeeded in one fell swoop. At that time, the main force of the team consisted of these villains who had been secretly trained by him.
Make amends for past mistakes with good deeds.
Furthermore, the powerful Dongshao Kingdom has been eyeing the border for many years, and the imperial army is clearly incapable of fulfilling its responsibilities. The royal family needs Ji Yujing and this army.
So they went along with it and tacitly allowed its existence.
What followed was nothing more than Ji Yujing's growing achievements and increasing prestige. Every step he took to rise to power defied the rules, yet he walked the established path, perhaps fraught with peril, but he survived.
Now, no one can do anything to him.
Even after holding a high position for many years, Lin Zhenshu was not confident in facing such a person.
Upon hearing this, the old butler was at a loss for words.
Ji Yujing's fearsome reputation is known far and wide; even the children in the capital have heard of him, which gives a glimpse into his ruthlessness. It's understandable that the master would be worried about facing him.
The study fell silent again, and after about half a cup of tea, footsteps suddenly came from inside.
Xiao Ming looked over at the sound, intending to reprimand someone, but unexpectedly it was Lin Qingdai. He was stunned until the little girl smiled and said: "Master Ming, can Dai Dai talk to Grandpa alone?"
Xiao Ming snapped out of his daze and chuckled, "Sure, why not?"
The moment he finished speaking, he walked straight out of the study without even asking Lin Zhenwei.
After he left, Lin Qingdai slowly walked to the desk and gracefully bowed to Lin Zhenwei, displaying her elegant demeanor.
Lin Zhenwei asked her to sit down.
After Jiaojiao'er sat down, he glanced at her and said, "You've come to plead for your sister?"
His words conveyed a very subtle emotion, making it difficult to discern his true feelings.
Lin Qingdai smiled faintly, "If Daidai says no, would Grandfather believe her?"
Lin Zhenwei: "I don't believe it."
After he finished speaking, he laughed, though he wasn't quite sure why he was laughing.
Lin Qingdai gazed at the subtle wrinkles on her grandfather's face as he smiled, remained silent for a moment, and then spoke again.
“Grandfather, Dai Dai knows you are worried about the future of the Lin family. I have come here to discuss with you how to resolve this problem.”
Upon hearing this, Lin Zhenwei's smile faded. "Crack it? Easier said than done."
Lin Qingdai: "It's easy, but Grandfather dotes on Daidai too much and never thought of that possibility."
Lin Zhenwei understood her meaning almost instantly. The smile on his face vanished completely, replaced by a cold glint. "Nonsense!"
"Grandpa." Lin Qingdai softened her voice, addressing him in a different way. In her childhood, Lin Qingdai's health was even worse than it is now, and she was frequently ill. When she was sick, she couldn't go out to play, and Lin Zhenwei would always come to visit her, reading storybooks to her, or carrying her around the yard. Before leaving, he would secretly slip candy into her palm.
These candies were definitely inedible while she was sick, something someone accustomed to illness knew better than anyone. But that didn't stop her from being happy.
She loved sweets and her grandfather's affection.
Back then, the word she used most often was "Grandpa".
Lin Zhenwei was clearly moved by the word "Auntie," and remained speechless for a moment.
Lin Qingdai remained silent until Lin Zhenwei's expression returned to clarity. "Grandpa, the Lin family has more than just my sister as a legitimate daughter, and that marriage contract doesn't even have my sister's name on it. Daidai has been loved by her family since she was little, and now that the family has suffered a misfortune, she shouldn't stand idly by."
After a slight pause, she said, "Dai Dai is willing to marry into Lingdong in place of her sister."
As Lin Qingdai had said before, even in his haste, Lin Zhenwei never considered having Lin Qingdai marry into Lingdong in place of Lin Qingwu.
Never, not even once.
Now that Lin Qingdai had brought it up so unexpectedly, he couldn't help but ponder...
Lingdong is poor and desolate, with a cold climate and a short frost-free period. Jiaojiao'er's health is so poor; if she isn't properly cared for, she might really die in Lingdong.
As for Ji Yujing, he was unruly and uncontrollable, and his methods were extreme. He married a noble lady from a prominent family as agreed, but he had no affection for her. How could he possibly treat her well?
The chart was clearly displayed before Lin Zhenwei's eyes.
A moment later, he explicitly rejected Lin Qingdai's suggestion, his attitude resolute and leaving no room for negotiation.
Lin Qingdai: "Grandpa."
Lin Zhenwei: "It's late, go back and rest."
"resemble……"
Just as she was about to call Xiao Ming to take her back, Lin Qingdai spoke again, "Grandpa, there is another reason why Dai Dai is willing to go to Lingdong."
Lin Zhenwei paused for a moment, then said, "Go on, and then go back to rest."
If she had a choice, Lin Qingdai really didn't want to mention "another reason" to anyone—it was the shyness of a young girl, and also a secret she wanted to keep forever. But the situation wouldn't allow it; if she didn't tell, her grandfather would never give in. She could only grit her teeth and let her embarrassment burn her ears red like sparks, "Grandpa, I, Dai Dai, am in love with Ji Yujing."
After the words were spoken, silence began.
One lost the courage to continue, the other was stunned by what his beloved had said. But despite their silence, Lin Qingdai's gaze did not waver. When Lin Zhenwei came to his senses, he could see into her heart through her eyes.
He knew she wasn't lying.
When did this happen?
Lin Zhenwei couldn't help but be surprised. If his memory wasn't wrong, Dai Dai had never met Ji Yujing before.
In this situation, how can one be truly happy?
Lin Qingdai fully understood Lin Zhenwei. She secretly breathed a sigh of relief and calmed herself down. Then, she spoke softly, "Grandpa, I've met Ji Yujing..."
Many years ago, during the transition from spring to summer, Lin Qingdai caught a cold and fell ill. After resting for several days, she finally felt better. On the day she was allowed to leave the hospital, she went straight to see Lin Zhenwei and pleaded softly, "Grandpa, I want to visit my maternal grandfather. I want to eat pomegranates."
"Grandpa, Dai Dai has a pomegranate tree, it must be full of fruit by now..."
As Jiaojiao spoke these words, her eyes shone with a gentle light, every inch of them filled with her expectation.
She wanted to go out, and visiting her maternal grandparents' house was the only possible reason for her to do so.
At that moment, Lin Zhenwei felt a lump in his throat.
He then reached out and poked the little girl's forehead, saying, "You little glutton."
Lin Qingdai: "Dai Dai won't eat alone. When Dai Dai comes back, she will bring Grandpa a lot of pomegranates."
"Is it only for Grandpa?"
"No, but the one for Grandpa will definitely be the biggest and sweetest."
Lin Zhenwei immediately summoned Lin Yansen and his wife to meet him. Five days later, Zhuo Shuming took his two daughters to the south.
The Zhuo family of Leyu originally had its roots in the capital, ranking among the four great families of the capital. Although this position was always at the bottom, it was still an honor and recognition compared to the most powerful group. However, the Zhuo family had no ambition in this field. From the oldest to the youngest, everyone in the family was devoted to literature, history, and academics. After their eldest daughter, Zhuo Shuming, married Lin Yansen, the eldest son of the Lin family, the whole family moved to the south.
The south is a place that scholars and poets of the ancient state of Naixun yearned for, with a mild climate that allows them to take care of the whole family.
After traveling slowly for nearly ten days, the group arrived safely at the Zhuo family's residence. Despite the long journey, Jiao Jiao persevered and did not fall ill.
When the head of the Zhuo family learned of this, he was overjoyed. The next day, he donated incense to the three most famous Buddhist temples in the south, praying for the gods to protect his beloved daughter.
We settled down here.
After a few peaceful days, the head of the Zhuo family suddenly brought several young men to Lin Qingdai. At that time, Lin Qingdai was in the Zhuo family's lakeside villa, escaping the heat and feeding the fish, accompanied only by two maids.
Upon seeing her maternal grandfather, she quickly came over and bowed. Then, her gaze swept lightly over the group of youths, and she asked curiously, "What is Grandfather doing?"
Zhuo Mingxun walked over, gently put his arm around Jiao Jiao'er's shoulder, and faced the group of young men with her. "Your maternal grandfather thinks you should learn some martial arts to strengthen your body. These young men are either from famous schools or have exceptional talent. Your maternal grandfather specially recruited them to teach you."
"Pick one that catches your eye."
Lin Qingdai didn't want to learn.
In June, the weather is already hot, and even the slightest movement will leave you drenched in sweat. If she were to practice martial arts, Lin Qingdai knew without a doubt that the result would be far from elegant and refined.
She originally wanted to refuse, but in the end she was defeated by her maternal grandfather's earnest gaze.
She agreed.
At the end of his sentence, his gaze swept over the group of teenagers once more.
A moment later, she raised her right hand, and as the light veil swayed, her slender white fingertips pointed to a boy of sixteen or seventeen. His clothes were old and his skin was dark; at a glance, it was clear that he was a child from a poor family, someone who needed to do manual labor. On the other hand, he was extremely handsome, with a cold and clean demeanor.
Lin Qingdai guessed that he might have accepted his maternal grandfather's invitation because he needed money. If that was the case, then she had done a good thing by choosing him.
"This is the brother I'll choose," Lin Qingdai clearly stated her decision.
After he finished speaking, many eyes were drawn to the boy, some with disdain and others with envy.
This girl is a pampered young lady from one of the two powerful and wealthy families in Lin and Zhuo. How can this poor boy, who doesn't even have a decent set of clothes, accept her calling him "brother"? Doesn't he fear shortening his lifespan?
However, the boy remained unmoved, as if the girl hadn't pointed at him, and that he wasn't the center of everyone's attention. He had been an outsider from beginning to end, treating everyone and everything with indifference.
Zhuo Mingxun glanced at the boy and thought the child was too cold-hearted, so he suggested to Lin Qingdai, "Why don't you pick another one, Dai Dai?"
Lin Qingdai shook her head at him, the movement small but her attitude exceptionally firm: "No, I want him."
The matter was settled, and Zhuo Mingxun sent guards to escort the other youths out of the manor. As previously agreed, even if they weren't selected, each of them would receive twenty taels of silver, making it a win-win situation.
Zhuo Mingxun gave instructions to Lin Qingdai and the boy who remained, and then left.
The lakeside pavilion, its hustle and bustle gone, returned to tranquility. After a moment of silent staring, Jiao Jiao'er realized that the situation would remain tense if she didn't speak, so she took the initiative to ask, "Brother, do you not know how to speak?"
juvenile:"……"
He didn't really want to answer, but this young girl in front of him was practically his master, at least for the past month.
When she asks him a question, he should answer, "Yes."
Lin Qingdai asked again: "Brother, did you take on this job that you find so undesirable because you desperately need money?"
A fleeting emotion crossed the boy's eyes, a feeling he had had since his first visit to the Zhuo residence. The little girl appeared innocent and naive, but she was actually sensitive and intelligent; he hadn't said a word, yet she had seen through everything.
Lost in thought, the boy was unable to give an immediate response.
Lin Qingdai didn't need to. She smiled at him and stated her thoughts: "No matter what you think, the matter is settled. You and I are now in the same boat and should help each other."
He was poor when he was young. In order to find a famous doctor for his mother, he came from the remote Lingdong to the prosperous Jiangnan region. He also traveled alone to the extremely cold and remote northern land. He had met some noble ladies, but none of them compared themselves to grasshoppers like her.
He couldn't help but laugh out loud, and only when the sound spread did he belatedly realize that he had laughed, and he quickly stopped.
Lin Qingdai noticed it, but she didn't point it out.
Her father often told her, "It is a great kindness to let people keep themselves."
She simply asked, "Brother, is it okay?"
His voice was gentle, like a breeze caressing water, erasing the boy's awkwardness and returning him to his usual cool and composed state.
"If you don't mind, that's fine, but please don't call me brother anymore."
In Xun Kingdom, hierarchy is strictly defined, and the four great families of the capital are the pinnacle of this hierarchy, something he could never hope to reach in his lifetime. He had no intention of getting involved. He could tell from the way everyone looked at him earlier that her excessive kindness towards him, whether genuine or feigned, would ultimately turn into a knife aimed at him.
It's better to avoid trouble.
Lin Qingdai didn't insist further. "Alright, then how should I address you?"
The boy suddenly clasped his hands in a fist salute and spoke seriously. The movement was not large, but in that instant, the surrounding wind seemed to grow colder.
Lin Qingdai subconsciously looked to the side. The lake water rippled, spreading out in layers, clear and without end.
Her attention was diverted, and at the same time, the boy's voice rang out again, "Lingdong, Ji Yujing."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
