Chapter 243 Drinking Hydrosol Like Water
The moon sets, crows cry, frost fills the sky; river maples and fishing lights accompany my sorrowful sleep.
After the Mid-Autumn Festival, Lin Ruhai became even busier.
He was a workaholic to begin with, and when his daughter wasn't around, he worked overtime like crazy.
He wanted to finish everything so he could go to the capital to see his daughter as soon as possible.
But just when he thought his work was coming to an end, the emperor would add more work to his workload.
The number and importance of his official titles and honorary ranks also increased.
Lin Ruhai felt even more that he could not fail the emperor's grace and that he must reorganize the salt administration in Huaiyang for the emperor.
He had not seen Daiyu for more than half a year. Although a small portrait of Daiyu would be sent from the capital every month, Lin Ruhai's longing for his daughter became even stronger after seeing the portrait of Daiyu.
In early spring, Lin Ruhai thought that Yangzhou was no longer as dangerous as before. Since Daiyu was no longer living in the Rongguo Mansion, why not ask Yuan Hongqu to bring Daiyu back to Yangzhou?
But before he could make up his mind, Daiyu entered the girls' academy to study, and then Yuan Hongqu became the head of the girls' academy and also became a third-rank official.
Lin Ruhai felt it was inappropriate to send the letter out again. He even considered that since Yuan Hongqu had obtained an official position, she would no longer be able to take care of Daiyu. He thought it would be better to let Daiyu return to Rongguo Mansion, where Old Madam Shi would take care of her, and he would feel at ease.
However, a few days later, he received another letter from Daiyu and learned that Yuan Hongqu had returned to the academy as the dean for Daiyu's sake, and that the third-rank official position was not what Yuan Hongqu wanted.
Yuan Hongqu still lives in the Lin family and takes care of Daiyu, just like before.
Although Lin Ruhai knew this was unreasonable, his daughter was a beneficiary, and Yuan Hongqu had not said she would not take care of Daiyu, so Lin Ruhai did not bring it up.
However, among the items sent to the capital next time, there were two more boxes of gifts specially brought for Yuan Hongqu.
When Yuan Hongqu saw the two boxes of gifts, she immediately knew that Lin Ruhai was overthinking things.
Her feelings for Daiyu, and her heart for Daiyu, are beyond the comprehension of others.
To reassure Lin Ruhai, Yuan Hongqu wrote him a letter for the first time.
However, it's really hard to explain why Yuan Hongqu, after becoming an official, would still serve as Daiyu's governess. To the whole world, this would seem like Yuan Hongqu was either stupid or crazy.
However, whether Yuan Hongqu became an official or the dean of the academy, her original intention was always for Daiyu.
Some things may sound cruel, but that's how she felt: all these things were illusions to her, only Daiyu was real.
Yuan Hongqu's letter contained only four words: "Everything as before."
The signature is Yuan Hongqu.
Lin Ruhai was relieved to receive the letter.
He learned from Daiyu's letter that she was living a very comfortable life in the capital, and was thriving in the girls' academy.
In her letter, Daiyu repeatedly urged him to take care of his health and not to work so hard. Lin Ruhai wanted to listen to his daughter, but the burden on his shoulders was too heavy, and he simply couldn't stop.
If it weren't for the ginseng hydrosol sent by Daiyu to keep him alert and replenish his energy, his body would probably have collapsed long ago.
A series of coughs came from the cabin, and the guards by the door were all worried.
Finally, one of them couldn't resist pushing the door open and going in.
"Master, why don't you rest for a while? If the young lady comes back and sees you like this, she will be heartbroken." This was Lin Cheng, Lin Ruhai's personal attendant, who naturally knew how much Daiyu meant to Lin Ruhai.
Since the beginning of autumn, the old man's cough has never stopped. We have consulted many doctors, and they all said that the old man is overworked and needs to take good care of himself for a period of time.
However, the master had no time to recuperate. Having just finished his business in Yangzhou, he had to head to Suzhou overnight. Even on the ship, he still had official documents to review.
The ginseng hydrosol that the young lady brought was said to be used by someone from the capital who said that only one drop is needed each time, enough to make a cup of water to nourish the body; too much might cause internal heat.
However, the master always used a spoonful of the medicine, which he then dissolved in water. A single drop was not enough for him to be effective.
Lin Cheng brought Lin Ruhai a cup of ginseng tea, which Lin Ruhai took and drank in one gulp. After a short while, his complexion was much better than before.
"Lin Cheng, once I'm done with things in Suzhou and have some free time until the end of the year, we can go to the capital." Lin Ruhai got up and stretched his limbs.
"Master, are you going to see the young lady in this condition because you're afraid she won't cry?" Lin Cheng had tried to persuade Lin Ruhai by using Daiyu's name many times, and although it had some effect, Lin Ruhai's thinking was clearly different from his.
"I'm in perfect health!" Lin Ruhai didn't feel unwell at all; he believed he could still serve the Emperor for another fifty years!
Lin Cheng remained silent.
"Lord Lin, there's not much ginseng hydrosol left. At this rate, I'm afraid you won't last until the day we enter the capital."
Lan Cong, who was standing to the side, suddenly spoke up.
The ginseng pills were all gone long ago, and there's only one bottle of hydrosol left.
There was also ginseng medicinal wine, but it wasn't as effective as the other two, so Lin Ruhai just drank it as a side drink with his meals.
Lin Daiyu had these sent to her father, Lin Ruhai. They were enough for him to use for at least three years. Even if he gave them away, they would still be sufficient for his daily needs.
However, in just over six months, almost everything was gone.
Lin Ruhai was only willing to give away a few jars of ginseng medicinal wine; he was unwilling to give away the rest.
With these ginseng products, Lin Ruhai felt that his body was well-nourished and he did not believe that he was sick at all.
"So soon... it's gone?" Lin Ruhai was stunned.
These things were meant to prolong his life, to help him see Daiyu sooner, and now they're gone...
“Master, there’s only one bottle of hydrosol left.” Lin Cheng also said, “You can’t take your health for granted just because you have these ginseng.”
Lin Ruhai slumped down. "Lan Cong, has Daiyu written to us recently?"
He's been so busy these days that he's working day and night, and he hasn't had time for anything else. Lin Cheng is handling most of his dealings with people in the capital.
However, correspondence with Daiyu was always handled by Lan Cong, as the Lan Cong sect had a secret technique to train birds to deliver messages, which was much faster than a messenger.
“The young lady hasn’t written,” Lan Cong said. “Last time, the young lady said that the academy would be holding a seven-day autumn outing. This time, the outing is at the royal hunting grounds, and there will be competitions in everything from hunting and playing football to poetry, calligraphy, painting, music, and chess. It’s understandable that the young lady doesn’t have time to write to the adults.”
Lin Ruhai suppressed the itch in his throat, took a sip of water, and managed to calm down the discomfort.
"Sir, why don't you write a letter to the young lady and ask if she still has any of these things..."
Lin Ruhai shook his head, then suddenly felt the urge to cough again. He quickly turned around, covered his mouth with a handkerchief, and coughed violently.
"Send a letter to the girl."
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