Xiaoxiang Water Cloud in the Red Chamber

Because the concubine was reluctant, Daiyu stayed at the palace as a guest.Just after the first lunar month, a mission headed by Gu Lin, the national teacher of the Nanyue Kingdom, came to the capital to discuss issues such as re-signing the alliance and maritime trade in the South China Sea.

This Nanyue Kingdom was originally an island country in the South China Sea, only separated from the Shui Dynasty by a small strait. Its territory is a quarter of the size of the Shui Dynasty. .This country advocates its own primitive religion, Zoroastrianism. It is a country where politics and religion are united, and the status of the national teacher is detached. Therefore, it is a good thing for the Central Plains that Lin Ruhai and the national teacher become brothers.In recent years, the two countries have been very peaceful, with constant exchanges, so no one thought that they would form an alliance with King Zhongshun. This time, if Lin Ruhai hadn't known the opportunity to resolve it, it would have really become a big problem.

Shuiyan heard Nanyue's visit to Dayue, and hurriedly sent the Ministry of Rites to entertain him.The officials in the capital didn’t understand the inside story, they just treated them as ordinary foreign envoys, but King Zhongshun was so angry that he couldn’t believe it. He couldn't help being furious.

The next day, Gu Lin went to the hall to meet, and all the civil and military officials looked as stiff as iron for a while, the envoy in front of him looked like a fairy, he looked only 40 years old, but his appearance was clearly that of the ex-explorer Hualin Ruhai!King Zhongshun was still surprised, and wondered what was going on, his age really didn't match, but with this appearance... I never heard that Lin Ruhai had a brother.Just because of this national teacher, the king of Nanyue broke his private covenant with himself, and voted for Shuiyan. This ancient forest has such a good appearance, so he couldn't help but have doubts about Gu Lin's identity.

All matters in the main hall were progressing very smoothly, but the one-day work and agreement had been completed, Shuiyan was very happy, and hosted a banquet in the palace the next day to entertain the envoys.

Gu Lin calmly faced the probing gazes of the various officials, secretly amused in his heart, and showed no signs of panic.Shui Yanyin said: "Our two countries have dead lips, teeth, and a strip of water. Your envoy, please go back and tell me the sincerity of the friendship between the Shui Dynasty. If you have enough time, why don't you take a casual tour of our capital, and also appreciate the following about our Shui Dynasty. customs."

Gu Lin smiled and said: "Thanks to Your Majesty's kindness, the foreign minister is very happy. It's just that the foreign minister came to Shui Dynasty for the first time, and I'm afraid that one person can't fully appreciate the charm of your country. Yesterday, I saw Prince Beijing in the palace, and I respected you from the bottom of my heart. I also heard about your country. The Prince of Beijing is virtuous and magnanimous, and he has extensive knowledge and memorization, I wonder if I will be honored to invite the Prince of Beijing to visit the bustling capital together."

Shui Yan smiled and said: "Why not. Shui Qing's family, you will accompany Nanyue Guoshi these days and do your best for me as a landlord."

Shui Rong hurriedly got up and said: "I obey the order." He also had endless doubts in his heart, how could this ancient forest be so similar to Uncle Lin.I only heard that Uncle Lin and Gu Lin became sworn brothers, but I didn't hear that they were "sworn" even in appearance.

Inside the posthouse, Shui Rong thought about it a bit: "Your envoy doesn't know where to start the tour, Xiao Wang can also arrange the itinerary."

The deputy envoy next to Gu Lin suddenly laughed loudly and said, "Rong'er doesn't need to test, let me explain to you."

Shui Rong was taken aback. Everyone paid attention to the main envoy, but they didn't pay attention to the unattractive deputy envoy. The voice was so familiar. A thin mask, the person under the mask is handsome and unrestrained, with only frost and snow on his temples, but it is not who Lin Ruhai is.

Shui Rong hurriedly saluted and said, "Rong'er met Uncle Lin, Uncle Lin, what's going on here?"

Lin Ruhai smiled slightly, looked at Gu Lin and said, "Second brother, there is no need to hide this matter."

Gu Lin smiled and said: "There is nothing to hide."

Lin Ruhai said: "It's no wonder Rong'er you are confused, no one knows the inside story except the emperor. This Gu Lin is my sworn brother in name, but in fact he is a brother of my mother."

ah!Shui Rong stared blankly at Lin Ruhai, quite shocked for a moment.

Lin Ruhai chuckled, pulled Shui Rong to sit down, and began to talk eloquently.

But this is from Lin Ruhai's parents.Lin Ruhai's father, Lin Xiao, was also an elegant young man. When he was young, he met his sweetheart Gu Yunting when he was traveling. It was only when the two finally got married that Lin Xiao knew that his wife was the saint of the Fire Worship Cult of the South Vietnam Kingdom.The saints of the Nanyue Kingdom are considered to be the reincarnation of the gods they believe in, and they were selected from birth, but they can have a normal life, and the second sons born to them have always been the teachers of the country.Speaking of it, maybe there is such a divine lord in the dark, because the offspring born of every saintess must be only two sons, never more or less.

Later, Mr. Gu Yunting gave birth to the eldest son Lin Hai, and five years later gave birth to the second son. Because the second son would become the next national teacher, he was sent back to Nanyue to be educated and studied directly from his mother's surname, and he was not included in the Lin family genealogy.A few years later, when Lin Hai grew up, Lin Xiao went to South Vietnam with his wife, and was not buried in his ancestral grave until his death.Only the emperor knows about this.

After all, Gu Lin is the blood of the Lin family, and later he also inherited the teachings of Lin Xiao's blessings, and he also inherited the character of the Lin family in his bones. Therefore, after serving as the national teacher, he not only worked hard, but also contributed to the continuous friendship between Nanyue and Shui Chao. There was no reason to be too wary of South Vietnam.

He didn't want Lin Hai to receive a message intercepted by the secret guard from King Zhongshun last year, but he found out that Nanyue had colluded with King Zhongshun in private, and he knew something was wrong.Secretly led people to South Vietnam to investigate and unannounced, only to find that the brother of the king of South Vietnam was planning a rebellion. He had put the king and the national teacher under house arrest, and even got a fake Gulin national teacher. He used this fake national teacher to confuse people and secretly manipulated him to form an alliance with King Zhongshun. , hoping to get a share of the Central Plains.Lin Hai then rescued the king's national teacher with a clever plan.The king knew that Lin Hai was a man, and he was very moved, and it would be impossible to keep him in South Vietnam, so he told Lin Hai that as long as he entered South Vietnam, he would also enjoy the treatment of a national teacher.

The queen king wanted to renew the peace treaty with Shuichao, so he asked Gu Lin to serve as an envoy to Shuichao. Lin Hai thought that the dust had settled in the south of the Yangtze River, and his daughter was going to be old again this year, so he couldn't be absent as a father, so he mingled with the embassy Back to the capital.

Shui Rong listened to Lin Hai's brief explanation, but knew that there must be endless blood and rain.A country rebelled, and South Vietnam is not a small country, how could it be so easy to put down.And I never thought that Uncle Lin's parents had such a legendary story.

Shui Rongyin said: "Then what does Uncle Lin plan to do next?"

Lin Ruhai smiled and said: "I came back this time because of the marriage of Yu'er and Jihe. Although Jiangnan has calmed down, I can't take it lightly. I will go back later. This year, the matter of King Zhongshun must be settled. This time I It is also necessary to discuss with the emperor how to increase the fire to force King Zhongshun to act earlier."

Shui Rong frowned: "Doesn't that mean that Uncle Lin's identity cannot be made public for the time being, so why are you presiding over the ceremony of Yu'er and Ji?"

Lin Ruhai smiled and said: "Earlier, the emperor said that he and the empress would personally preside over the ceremony for Yu'er. Now that I can't disclose my identity, I will make it easier for him. I only went to watch the ceremony with my younger brother that day. Yu'er knows that even if I don't preside over it, I should There will be no regrets."

Shui Rong chuckled, seeing that Uncle Lin was quite angry, he thought that Uncle Lin was still not very satisfied, he was not at all interested in the honor presided over by the emperor.

Shui Rong bids farewell to Brother Lin Hai for the time being, and hurriedly returns to the palace to tell the Empress Dowager and Daiyu what happened.All three were extremely pleasantly surprised.Especially Daiyu, not only knowing that her father is back, but also hearing that she has an uncle, how can she be unhappy.Grinding the water solution, I have to hurry to see her.Shui Rong knew that she missed her father very much, so she asked Daiyu to pretend to be a follower before going to the posthouse.

Seeing the two leave happily, Shui Yue curled his lips and said in disbelief: "Ru Hai still has such a legendary family affair, but he kept it a secret, he only told the emperor brother, how stingy."

The concubine said leisurely: "It doesn't make sense for you to be so jealous. Even Yu'er doesn't know about it, so why do I have to tell you. After all, Yu'er's grandmother is a saint from a foreign country, and the two of them definitely don't want to have a relationship with each other." He has never told others because he has become a political weight, so Ruhai has to obey his parents' wishes."

Shui Yue smiled and said: "I said why the emperor has been so friendly to Nanyue for many years. It turned out to be because of this. Naturally, both countries are happy with things that are mutually beneficial." He dragged his chin and thought: "I don't know how Uncle Lin knows Aunt Lin. Yes, it's really a marriage of thousands of miles."

The concubine couldn't help laughing: "I didn't know you had such curiosity, but you have the potential to be a third aunt and six wives."

Shui Yue also smiled: "I'm just sighing, Uncle Lin and Aunt Lin have passed away, so I really want to ask Ru Hai."

Daiyu came to the posthouse and went to see Lin Ruhai in a hurry, but Lin Ruhai was startled, and said: "You are too impatient, I said I would find a chance to go to the palace tonight, but you came first."

Daiyu was very happy by her father's side, her father didn't look haggard at all, he seemed to take good care of himself, because she said coquettishly, "I heard that Daddy is here, how can Yu'er stay at home, besides Yu'er also knows that Daddy must miss Yu'er very much, so of course Yu'er is so considerate."

Lin Ruhai pinched Daiyu's little nose lightly, and said with a smile, "The bigger you are, the more naughty you are." He introduced Gu Lin to her.Daiyu hurriedly bowed down, for this uncle, she also got close to him from the bottom of her heart, it turned out that she had so many relatives, she was content.Although this uncle has not been included in the Lin family tree and cannot be recognized publicly, he is much better than those so-called relatives who are on the surface.

Gu Lin is also amazing, the saint can get married, but his national teacher can't, so he unconsciously regards Daiyu as his own daughter, took Daiyu's hand and smiled: "Brother is so lucky, Yu'er has an extraordinary background and a bright future." With a human appearance, kind and strong, he must be a person who will live a happy life, the elder brother is just waiting to enjoy the family happiness."

Lin Hai smiled all over his face. His younger brother was educated by the elders of the Fire Worship Sect since he was a child, and he has quite a bit of ability. He said this with seven or eight percent accuracy, so he said with a smile: "My daughter is your daughter. Say I am lucky. It's not your luck."

Daiyu is so clever, she hastily bowed down again: "Daughter see foster father."

Gu Lin was both surprised and happy, smiling from ear to ear, helped Daiyu and said: "Good boy, get up, I got a baby today, thank you, big brother." He took off a bunch of bluestone bracelets from his hands Said: "I don't have any good things. This is the charm stone I got by chance. I am good at poison, so I gave it to Yu'er as a meeting gift."

Lin Hai hurriedly laughed and said: "You have a very high status in Nanyue, so you can't help but cause more trouble, but you can use it more if you have this intention. It seems that we are greedy for your things." He couldn't help laughing.

Gu Lin gave him an angry look and said: "It's not for you, brother, I gave it to my daughter, you don't even want to be greedy."

Daiyu thanked her with a smile, took it with both hands and put it on, it was warm and cool, and very light, really a good thing.Gu Lin said: "The stone will glow whenever it encounters poison, and it will be safer for Yu'er to carry it in the future."

Shui Rong took Gu Lin, Lin Hai and Dai Yu to tour around the capital, and sometimes Lin Hai would secretly go to the palace to visit Dai Yu, and the father and daughter shared their family ties.Gu Lin couldn't go to the palace because of her status, and her relationship with Daiyu was not made public, only her relatives knew about it.Daiyu took advantage of the sightseeing time to chat and laugh with her adoptive father, so that Gu Lin could also enjoy the joy of father and daughter, and her heart was indescribably happy.

Let’s say it’s coming to the Huachao Festival. This day, Jia’s mother called Mrs. Jia Zhengwang and said: “In a few days, it will be Huachao. It’s Yu’er’s 15th birthday. Let’s find a way to bring Yu’er here. Be sure to let Yu'er hold the ceremony at our house."

Jia Zheng took it for granted, after all, this was Daiyu's only elder's home, so he nodded quickly and said, "Zheng'er knows."

Mrs. Wang has been ill since New Year's Eve. At this time, she frowned and said unhappyly when she heard Jia Mu's words: "The old lady also read it. The eldest girl seems to be very reluctant to come to our house. She was supposed to be there during the Chinese New Year. We If she stays, she will leave, I heard that she is now in the Beijing Palace, so she might not be able to pick her up."

Jia Mu stared and said, "You don't have to play sloppy with me, I know you don't want her to come. You can't let go of your selfishness and think about our family. Yu'er is rich now, although his brother is not a big official But she is deeply relied upon by the emperor. Even though Yu'er is a princess with a different surname, she is also very popular with the emperor and queen. You are so afraid of such a blessed child, and you are too short-sighted. Our family is in a difficult situation now. If we can win over Yu'er Maybe Yuan'er in the palace will turn around. Besides, the 20 taels our family borrowed from Yu'er will soon expire, and our family may not be able to pay it out now. If Yu'er sees that we value her so much Li, maybe give it some time, or even stop mentioning it, why didn't you think about it."

Jia Zheng frowned, but he didn't dare to contradict Jia's mother, so he didn't like it.

Jia Mu took a sip of ginseng tea and said, "I've called you here today for one reason, and the other is to discuss Baoyu's marriage with you."

Mrs. Wang's eyes darkened, and she said: "Old lady, Baoyu is still young, it's not yet time to say goodbye."

Jia Zheng was also somewhat reluctant. Although his elder son married early but died young, although it was not necessarily related to this, he still couldn't help thinking so.And on New Year's Eve, seeing that his son was still so naive and ignorant of the world, he was betrothed to ruin other people's daughters.

Seeing the expressions of the two of them, Jiamu sneered, and said, "I didn't say we'd let him get married now, but I just wanted to settle it first. It's not a good idea for Baoyu to always make trouble among girls like this. If I kiss myself, I am afraid that I will be sorry for other people's daughter, and she will become self-reliant."

Jia Zheng's expression changed, and he said: "Mother is also polite, but she didn't pay attention to which daughter is good for a while, and she has to find it slowly."

Jia Mu smiled and said: "I have been dating for a long time in the past few years. I just looked at each other's young age and didn't say anything. According to my idea, Yu'er is very good. We should kiss each other. Yu'er's family background is noble, and now his status is also noble. She is a well-educated person, and Baoyu has seen her before, and respects her very much, and he can still listen to a sentence or two of what Yuer says, so I think she is pretty good."

Mrs. Wang's face darkened, and she almost screamed: "No, how can that foxy girl give Baoyu, she must seduce Baoyu to death."

"Presumptuous!" Jia Zheng's lips trembled with anger when he heard Mrs. Wang's words. He knew why Mrs. Wang didn't like Daiyu, and it was because he knew that he felt extremely embarrassed, and couldn't help but angrily reprimanded.

Jia Mu also said coldly: "Hu Meizi, are you talking about Yu'er? Yu'er is my granddaughter. What do you think she compares me to?"

When Mrs. Wang was reprimanded by the two, she became sober, her face flushed, she was dissatisfied in her heart but dared not speak up.

Jia Zheng glared at Mrs. Wang and said hesitantly: "Mother also knows that my niece is now the princess, and the emperor is in charge of this marriage. I heard that many young talents have asked for it, but the emperor refuted it."

Mrs. Wang hurriedly nodded her head in agreement, Mother Jia sighed, and said: "I'm also worried about this, so I have to bring Yu'er over to perform the ceremony, and then explain Yu'er first, and then I will let you and Yifei go to the emperor to beg. Seeing that Yu'er has agreed, the emperor will not stop it even if he thinks about it."

Jia Zheng didn't know the relationship between Daiyu and Baoyu, but he still felt that Daiyu didn't seem to like Jia's house very much, otherwise he hadn't had much contact with him for so many years, so he still hesitated.

But Mrs. Wang said: "The old lady also knows that my niece doesn't seem to be very close to us. It seems that this matter is unlikely to happen. It's better for my daughter-in-law to find a good candidate in the future. I don't need my niece to be short." You can't let this foxy girl marry Baoyu.

Jia Mu sneered, "It's better than Yu'er, don't tell me it's your niece and aunt. I told you to kick them out, but you didn't listen. It didn't hurt our house's reputation."

Mrs. Wang's face was like a red cloth, and she said in embarrassment: "The daughter-in-law also said, just seeing that their family is difficult and not good, it seems that our house is too intolerant. The daughter-in-law used to know people, but now she doesn't know anyone." This is a foolish way of thinking." In private, she also ordered her servants to ruin Xue's house, and even drove Baochai out of the Grand View Garden, but she still didn't really force them to leave because of the agreement with Baochai.

Jia Zheng had also heard and seen these bad things about the Xue family, so he had no choice but to push them out. He said that Mrs. Wang had seen her insist on doing her own way several times, and he didn't bother to care about it, because he said: "The Xue family's girl must have a bad reputation. Or just Listen to what your mother says, let your niece Jiji mention it to her and her nephew."

When Mrs. Wang saw Jia Zheng speak, she didn't dare to speak any more, she sat angrily and didn't speak.I only hope that Baochai will find a way to kill Daiyu quickly.Here Jia's mother is satisfied, and finally she has the upper hand in Baoyu's marriage.Sister Feng is still raising a baby at home, so it's not easy to order her. She thought it would be good to talk about Tanchun, and Xichun and Daiyu had a good relationship, so she called them and Li Wan, and ordered them to go with her to the Beijing Palace to pick up Daiyu.