Chapter 439 Remarrying Lin Ruhai
Daiyu turned around and saw Qiu Hui standing not far away, wearing a bright pink and gold cloak that stood out against the simple winter street scene. She smiled, but her eyes held a complex expression.
"Sister Qiu?" Daiyu greeted her with delight. "What brings you to Suzhou?"
Qiu Hui grasped Daiyu's hand, her smile somewhat forced: "I had some family matters to attend to, so I came back early to pay respects to our ancestors. I heard you're running an academy here, and it's doing very well."
Daiyu noticed that her eyes looked a little tired, unlike the radiant look she had in the capital. So she said gently, "Since you're here, why don't you come to the academy for a while? You can try the newly made osmanthus winter wine."
The two arrived at the academy's warm pavilion. Xueyan served hot tea and snacks before considerately withdrawing. Qiu Hui, holding her teacup, gazed at the female students practicing martial arts outside the window, and suddenly sighed softly:
“Your Highness is so different now. I remember when we were in the capital, you were just a little girl who didn’t like going to the academy.”
Daiyu smiled and said, "Sister, haven't you changed a lot too? You used to be the most impatient with these things about poetry and books, but now you're willing to come to the academy as a guest."
Qiu Hui smiled bitterly: "People always change." She was silent for a moment, then finally whispered, "Actually, I came to Suzhou this time to avoid a marriage arrangement."
Daiyu was slightly taken aback. Qiu Hui was now over twenty years old, considered relatively old among the noble ladies of the capital, and her marriage was indeed a cause for concern.
"Which young master is so unlucky that he makes you want to hide in Suzhou?" Daiyu asked jokingly.
Qiu Hui couldn't laugh. She lowered her eyes and said, "It's the youngest son of the Yongchang Marquis's family. He's already remarried three times this year. His previous wives all died mysteriously. My father said that the Yongchang Marquis is unparalleled in loyalty and righteousness, so his adopted son must be good. Therefore, the Yongchang Marquis's family came to propose marriage, and my father wants me to marry into their family as a second wife."
Daiyu's expression changed upon hearing this: "How could Minister Qiu be so muddle-headed! The Earl of Yongchang is good, but does that mean his son is necessarily good?"
"So I fled to Suzhou." Qiu Hui looked up, tears welling in her eyes. "The excuse was to pay respects to our ancestors, but actually I wanted to find a reason to cancel this marriage. But yesterday I received a letter from home; my father said that if I didn't comply, he would send my mother back to our hometown..."
Daiyu grasped her hand and said seriously, "Sister, don't worry, there might still be room for maneuver. I will write a letter to Her Majesty the Empress and ask her to intercede on my behalf."
Qiu Hui shook her head: "It's no use. Although Her Majesty the Empress dotes on you, she won't interfere in the family affairs of a court official for the sake of a mere subject like me." She suddenly remembered something and hesitated, "Actually... the official matchmaker came to see me yesterday and proposed another marriage..."
"Which family is it?" Daiyu asked hurriedly.
Qiu Hui blushed slightly and said in a low voice, "It's your father, Lord Lin."
Daiyu stood there stunned, unsure of what to say next.
Qiu Hui hurriedly explained, "Yu'er, don't misunderstand. I'm absolutely not after the Lin family's social standing. It's just that the official matchmaker said that Lord Lin is an upright person and his household is simple. If... if I could marry into the Lin family, at least I wouldn't have to suffer the torment of the Yongchang Earl's family..."
Daiyu came to her senses and said softly, "I understand what you mean, sister. But ultimately, Father's marriage is up to him."
Qiu Hui nodded: "Of course. I just... just wanted to sound you out first. If you object, I will never agree to this."
After seeing Qiu Hui off, Daiyu sat alone for a long time. To be fair, although she and Qiu Hui had had their disagreements, they had later reconciled and often visited each other in the capital. Qiu Hui was straightforward and capable, and a skilled housekeeper; if she could truly become her stepmother, perhaps...
“No!” Daiyu suddenly muttered to herself, “Father loves Mother dearly and would never agree to remarry.”
Sure enough, when Daiyu brought up the matter with her father that evening, Lin Ruhai immediately frowned and said, "Nonsense! Qiu's daughter isn't much older than you, how could I marry her?"
Daiyu gently advised, "Father, Sister Qiu is in a difficult situation right now. If that marriage with the Marquis of Yongchang goes through, her life will be ruined. Besides..." She paused, "Father also needs someone to take care of him."
Lin Ruhai sighed deeply: "Yu'er, I understand that you mean well. But as for your mother... I will never remarry in this lifetime."
He gazed at the moonlight outside the window, his eyes distant. "Besides, Minister Qiu's actions may not be without political considerations. As the father of the salt administration in Jiangnan, I don't know how many people want to send their people to the Lin family."
Daiyu then realized what was happening.
It turns out that this was what my father was worried about.
A few days later, when Qiu Hui visited again, Daiyu tactfully conveyed her father's message.
Qiu Hui's expression darkened upon hearing this, but she forced a smile and said, "I understand. It was all just wishful thinking on my part..."
Daiyu couldn't bear to see her like this, and suddenly had a bright idea: "Why must you get married, sister? Why don't you stay in Suzhou?"
Qiu Hui was taken aback: "Stay in Suzhou?"
“Exactly.” Daiyu found it more and more feasible as she spoke. “The academy is in need of a teaching nanny. If you are willing, you can come and help. When Minister Qiu asks, just say that you have found a job in Suzhou. He can’t force you to come back to the capital to get married.”
A light gradually appeared in Qiu Hui's eyes: "This...is this really possible?"
“Of course,” Daiyu said with a smile. “Sister, you used to work at an academy in the capital, so you are more than capable of teaching these girls. This time, the academy will officially hire you. The Suzhou Academy was rebuilt by order of the Empress herself, and all of our teachers are considered to be under the Empress’s protection. With the Empress’s protection, Minister Qiu will not be able to force you to marry.”
Qiu Hui excitedly grasped Daiyu's hand: "Yu'er, if it can really be like this, you will be my benefactor!"
So Qiu Hui stayed in Suzhou and became a tutor at the academy. She was already well-versed in poetry and literature and skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and quickly gained popularity among the students. Although Minister Qiu was furious when he found out, he couldn't force her to go back out of consideration for Daiyu.
On the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month, the day before the Lunar New Year, the academy was exceptionally lively. The students prepared a New Year's market, showcasing all the skills they had learned: there were embroidery, calligraphy and painting, medicinal incense, pastries, and even homemade rouge and face powder.
Daiyu and Qiu Hui were inspecting the stalls when they suddenly saw Lin Ruhai arriving with several officials. It turned out that the Suzhou prefect had heard about the academy's annual market and had come to take a look.
When Qiu Hui saw Lin Ruhai, she stepped forward and bowed respectfully, saying, "Greetings, Lord Lin."
Lin Ruhai was taken aback when he saw her dressed in simple, elegant clothes, without any makeup, a stark contrast to her proud demeanor in the capital. He asked, "Miss Qiu, are you settling in well at the academy?"
Qiu Hui smiled: "Thanks to your blessing, everything is fine. Being able to do something practical is much better than being idle in the capital."
She led the group to see the students' works, her demeanor composed and appropriate, drawing praise from the accompanying officials.
Watching from the side, Daiyu suddenly felt that Qiu Hui, standing next to her father, was actually quite a good match. She secretly observed her father's expression and saw that there was also a sense of appreciation in his eyes.
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