Chapter 109 Farewell
"Mr. Yuan, you mustn't speak recklessly. Lord Lin is kind and generous. It's just that I have a big appetite."
Lan Cong blushed suspiciously, and when he saw Yuan Hongqu's teasing expression, he realized that she was just teasing him.
“Now that we’re home, how could we not let you eat your fill? That’s not how the Lin family behaves.”
As she spoke, Yuan Hongqu opened the bottom layer of the food box next to her. Because the table in the study was small, there wasn't enough room to put all these things in, so she hadn't taken them all out earlier.
"Eat as much as you want. If you're not full, don't be shy. I'll go to the kitchen and get more. You've worked so hard for the Lin family, and if you can't even get a decent meal in the capital, your family will probably blame me for not managing things properly."
As Yuan Hongqu spoke, she added some more mutton soup to the casserole.
Lan Cong was slightly moved. He was the adult's guard and didn't usually have much contact with Yuan Hongqu.
However, in the Salt Commissioner's Office in Yangzhou, since Yuan Hongqu went to take up her post, it seems to have returned to the state it was when the madam was still alive. Everything inside and out is in perfect order, and even the official's health seems to be much better than in previous years.
Yuan Hongqu saw that Lan Cong remained silent, but the newly served meat and vegetables disappeared rapidly at a speed visible to the naked eye.
Lan Cong has been traveling through wind and rain, and there hasn't been a time like this where she could sit down and have a proper meal.
"Lan Cong, would you like to consider coming to the capital to protect the young lady?"
Yuan Hongqu was joking. Given Lan Cong's loyalty to Lin Ruhai, he would never leave Lin Ruhai. Yuan Hongqu was just asking a pointless question.
There is such a character, but after Lin Ruhai died in the original novel, where did Lan Cong go?
Given his loyalty to Lin Ruhai, it can only mean that Lan Cong probably died before Lin Ruhai did.
"I cannot leave you, sir, but my sister is just as skilled as I am. Once we return to Yangzhou, I will write to her and ask her to come to the capital to protect you, young lady," Lan Cong said, believing him to be true.
Yuan Hongqu's heart stirred. Her skills were no match for Lan Cong's. If there were a martial arts master like Lan Cong to serve as Daiyu's bodyguard, that would be wonderful!
"Are you serious about what you said?" It was just a casual remark, but now Yuan Hongqu wanted to put it on hold!
Lan Cong's character and personality are beyond reproach. Since he can recommend his own sister, there's absolutely no problem with it.
Seeing Yuan Hongqu's sudden urgency, Lan Cong confirmed,
"Mr. Yuan, the master has been wanting to find a female bodyguard for Miss Lin, and I've already recommended Susu to him. When we return to Yangzhou..."
"Don't wait until we get back to Yangzhou. Why don't you write a letter to Susu now? Or tell me where Susu is, and I'll send someone to pick her up." After tonight's assassination attempt, Yuan Hongqu had a better understanding of Lin Ruhai's current situation.
Lin Ruhai only had this one relative left in the world, and Daiyu was his only remaining lifeline.
What if those people can't deal with Lin Ruhai, and instead threaten him with his death?
Yuan Hongqu will not allow this to happen!
Although she didn't know why Mr. Yuan was in such a hurry, Lan Cong nodded.
“Mr. Yuan, I’ll go write the letter now, so there’s no need to send someone to pick me up.” Sending someone would only delay Lan Su’s journey; it would be more convenient for Lan Su to set off alone.
“It’s a deal. When can Lan Su arrive at the earliest?” Yuan Hongqu stared intently at Lan Cong.
“Su Su is currently in Lizhou Prefecture, not far from the capital. If we send a message now, she will definitely arrive within five days,” Lan Cong said with certainty.
"Don't worry, you know the girl's personality, she will definitely not mistreat Lan Su."
"I feel very reassured leaving Susu in Mr. Yuan's care." After a long while, Lan Cong finally spoke in a deep voice.
Yuan Hongqu smiled at Lan Cong, surprised that he trusted her so much.
"Is Lord Lin returning to Yangzhou tonight?"
Lan Cong nodded. Yuan Hongqu pondered for a moment, thinking to herself, "I'm afraid Daiyu will be heartbroken again when she finds out."
Where there is gathering, there is parting; how can it be avoided?
A soft cough came from the doorway. Yuan Hongqu frowned slightly and walked over quickly. Lan Cong also instantly flashed onto the roof beam.
Inside the study, the laughter of the father and daughter could be heard from time to time. Yuan Hongqu went in to add charcoal to the stove and brought in two hand warmers.
Since their time together was short, there was no need to urge the father and daughter to rest.
Yuan Hongqu's heart was filled with conflicting emotions. According to the original novel, Daiyu had not seen Lin Ruhai since she arrived at the Rongguo Mansion. When news came from Yangzhou that Lin Ruhai was seriously ill and dying, she didn't even know if Daiyu had seen him one last time before rushing back.
Now that the father and daughter had only met briefly, Yuan Hongqu naturally hoped that Daiyu could get closer to Lin Ruhai, in case the world of the original story were to reappear, which might be the last time the father and daughter would see each other.
"Father, why don't I go back to Yangzhou with you?" Lin Daiyu suddenly said.
"Although things are good in the capital, my father is not here."
"Yu'er..."
Lin Ruhai was incredibly soft-hearted. He wished he could keep his precious daughter by his side all the time, and just hearing her call him "Daddy" a few times a day would be enough for him...
However, if I were to stay by his side, I fear I would face numerous dangers, as what I am doing now has offended almost the entire officialdom of Huaiyang.
He used himself as bait to arrest Fan Huaiqing, which led to the current chaos in the salt administration of Huaiyang. And as the saying goes, pulling up a radish brings up the mud, and countless officials are involved in this matter.
He predicted a major upheaval in the Huaiyang region, and that it would be difficult to clean up the local officialdom in a short time.
If Daiyu goes back with me, she will face many dangers. It would be safer for her to stay in the capital.
Under the emperor's nose, with the Rongguo Mansion openly protecting them, and the Xianwang Mansion and people sent by the emperor secretly protecting them, they dared not act recklessly in the capital.
Looking into his daughter's longing eyes, Lin Ruhai couldn't help but feel guilty and try to avoid the question, finding it really hard to say no.
Seeing her father like this, Daiyu's face fell. Then, she raised the corners of her lips in a smile, as if comforting her father was also comforting herself.
"Father, then I'll wait for you in the capital!" Her eyes were clearly veiled by a layer of tears, but she tried her best to hold them back. Although she was still trying to smile, she looked like she was about to burst into tears at any moment.
Lin Ruhai turned his head away with difficulty, afraid that he might not be able to bear it and agree to take Daiyu back to Yangzhou, that place of trouble.
"Father, promise me you'll take good care of yourself. Your daughter, your only daughter, is waiting for you to come back in the capital." Daiyu choked back tears. She didn't want to be like this, but she couldn't help it.
"Yu'er, I promise you, Daddy promises you, I will definitely come back safely! The fireworks in the capital are beautiful, and the lantern festival is also very nice. Wait for Daddy to come back and I will take you to see them together."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
