Mai Otsuka

  Those on the other side also saw Lin Jing, so they waited with their hands down by the roadside. When Lin Jing walked up to them, they respectfully called out "Master".

  Lin Jing nodded with a good temper, her eyes swept over the crowd and stopped on those from Rongguo Mansion. "These few madams aren't from our manor, are they? But why do they look so familiar?"

  Nowadays, Lin Jing's status in the mansion is vastly different from before. Although she is still under the control of people like Lai Erjia, it is an extremely private matter. Therefore, as soon as she speaks up, someone immediately flatters: "Master has a good eye for talent, these few are relatives of our family, from the Rongguo Mansion of Madam's natal family."

  "Oh?" Lin Jing seemed to have just understood, and his attitude immediately improved by a few degrees. He looked at those women and asked, "Is the old lady of the manor well?", "Are the first and second masters and their wives well?", "Is Brother Qiong well?" and other such polite questions.

  After those women finished speaking, Lin Jing actually started to care about them and asked "How early will you arrive?", "When did you set off", "Was the road smooth" and so on.

  Those few were originally only third-rate maidservants, in the Rongguo Mansion they couldn't easily get close to their masters' bodies, most of the time looking at those first and second-rate ones with disdain. Now receiving such courtesy from the old master's only son, they almost floated up, simply asking one question and answering ten, even things Lin Jing hadn't asked about were poured out like beans, and they vied with each other to speak and show their faces.

  Listening to their chatter, Lin Jing finally understood that these people were sent by the Rongguo House to pick up Lin Daiyu!

  When did this happen? Lin Ruhai had already nodded. Didn't he clearly refuse Jia Xian last time?

  Lin Jing asked about the topic when she went to visit Lin Ruhai in the evening. It wasn't that she had to save someone, or save the world, that was God's job, she just wanted to save herself.

  "Master, today our son met several ladies from Rongguo House, saying they came to pick up the eldest young lady. Is this true?"

  Lin Ruhai felt somewhat annoyed when Lin Jing brought up the topic, but then nodded and said: "Ah. The old lady in the mansion has sent several letters saying that Daiyu is ill." Then her expression turned stern and she said severely: "As a younger generation, how can you not consider your elders and only think of your own pleasure?"

  Lin Jing realized this was an opportunity to flatter himself, and hastily stood up to answer "yes".

  Lin Ruhai looked at Lin Jing's attitude and was quite satisfied, his face softened, saying: "I also know that you are fond of your sister. Sit down."

  Lin Jing sat down, and Lin Ruhai continued: "But you're so focused on not parting ways that you haven't thought about how a young lady's family can lack the guidance of an elder female? You're also a scholar now; have you read 'The Elder Dai's Ritual Records'?"

  How long did Lin Jingcai read the book? How could he have seen that? Lin Ruhai naturally had another round of talk, saying that Lin Jing was stupid and thought that being awkward with his hands and feet as a son and brother was filial piety. He didn't know that as a son and an older brother, so-called filial piety cannot be limited to the present, one must distinguish between great filial piety and great fraternal love, etc., etc.

  Looking at this scene, Lin Jing knew that the matter could not be retrieved. It can also be seen that Mr. Lin was reluctant to give up, but took himself as a punching bag.

  Bai Bai was scolded, Lin Jing would naturally be depressed, but she also knew how to ease herself. If not, she would have suffocated long ago. Since it can't be helped, then accept it and think of other ways later.

  Ten days later, Lin Daiyu finally boarded the boat heading north.

  This time, Lin Daiyu still only brought Snow Goose and Wang Nai'niang. In this regard, Lin Jing felt very unbelievable. Ah, Lin Daiyu, who is that? The heart of Lin Ruhai's son! In the mansion, when you sneeze, there are seven or eight hands closing windows, and seven or eight hands handing over handkerchiefs, and even seven or eight hands pouring tea. Why did she only bring these two people?

  However, Lin Jing didn't say much. One was Lin Ruhai and the other was Lai Erjia's family, these two people were really close to Lin Daiyu, they decided things, where did she have a place to speak? She didn't want to be told that she owed them again.

  However, Lin Jing couldn't help but feel curious. Privately, she asked her current teacher, Mr. Shan Changzhong.

  Speaking of Mr. Zhong, Lin Ruhai really put his heart into it. The White Deer Grotto Academy, what kind of place is that? It's a place where scholars from all over the world look up to and respect. If you insist on making a comparison, even Tsinghua University and Peking University can't compare with it, let alone Cambridge and Oxford.

  Nowadays, a retired vice president of Cambridge University has become a private tutor for the child of a provincial and ministerial family. That's awesome!

  So, Lin Jing can also be considered a famous teacher. It seems that her father was planning, her son is stupid, so he got a good background, Cambridge Oxford diploma can't be bought, then ask the principal to perform, sing an opera, and give this stupid son a layer of gold.

  With this layer of gold, the future prospects of this son will be easier to handle. Spend some money to stuff him into a department or agency and he'll be set. Even if he's criticized in the future, being a 27-year-old county party secretary or a 25-year-old town mayor is still impressive. At the very least, his educational background will be intimidating enough!

  But who would have thought that this stupid Lin Jing, after meeting Mr. Zhong, became smart.

  Mr. Zhong, although a scholar, was the principal of the White Deer Cave Academy, and as such had to interact with many people. As a result, he was very worldly-wise when it came to human relationships. After meeting Lin Jing, who was said to be so stupid that he scared away his teacher, for two or three days, Mr. Zhong couldn't help but shake his head - this wasn't stupidity at all! If the disciples in his academy were all as foolish as this, he would laugh even in his dreams. Thinking again about the identity of these disciples, Mr. Zhong sighed, what more was there to understand?

  Looking at this child, Mr. Zhong felt especially pitiful.

  Yu's jade, all hope to meet a good piece of jade embryo, day and night grinding, to achieve a good product. Those who are used to being teachers are also like this. Moreover, Mr. Zhong is even more affectionate towards Lin Jing because he sympathizes with the child's difficulties.

  Lin Jing, at first, was just trying to make a good impression and win over Mr. Zhong as his disciple. Of course, he couldn't help but have various calculations in mind. But after some time had passed, how could he not feel Mr. Zhong's kindness? So, instead, he scolded himself. Then, facing Mr. Zhong, he was completely sincere and even revealed all the small calculations he had made.

  Lin Jing had no relatives in this world, so he regarded the teacher as his relative. Mr. Zhong also didn't let Lin Jing call him "teacher" anymore, and after kowtowing and serving tea, he became Lin Jing's master.

  The relationship between these two people is closer than father and son, although they are just a master and apprentice.

  Lin Jing asked Master Shifu about Daiyu's situation, and Mr. Zhong thought for a moment before saying "Die with dignity, live with suffering", and then refused to say any more.

  Lin Jingxiu racked her brains for half a day, roughly guessing something, but didn't dare to guarantee it. After all, she wasn't an ancient person and hadn't gotten used to this kind of thinking yet.

  As for what Lin Ruhai said about the Book of Rites, Mr. Zhong found a copy of "Da Dai's Book of Rites" and flipped to a certain page, handing it over to Lin Jing. Lin Jing took a look, on which was written:

  A woman has five don'ts: Don't take a son who opposes his family, don't take a son who ruins his family, don't take a son whose family has convicts, don't take a son whose family has evil diseases, and don't take the eldest son of a widow.

  I understand now, what's prioritizing filial piety is actually being afraid that the daughter can't get married! No wonder she says things like "great filial piety" to herself.

  But didn't Lin Ruhai think of marrying Daiyu off to Baoyu?

  After Daiyu left, Lin Ruhai really lost his appetite. Lin Jing, as a filial son, began to persuade him to eat again with great effort. However, this time the effect was not great. Lin Ruhai didn't listen much, and often frowned at Lin Jing. This happened once or twice, and it made Lin Jing feel annoyed. Even if he was venting his anger, couldn't he have a bottom line?

  Lin Jing wasn't afraid of Lin Ruhai's threats, for she was now his only "son". As long as this secret was kept hidden and Lin Ruhai didn't have a new son... In the future, Lin Jing would eventually reveal this secret to Lin Ruhai, which was a crucial move!

  Lin Jing didn't want to be blamed for being old, and he was really worried about Lin Ruhai's body. Although the book said that Lin Ruhai still had some days left, what if something unexpected happened? He himself had no way to deal with the powerful Rongguo Mansion, which was like a wolf in front of him.

  Lin Jing had no choice but to let Lai's wife think of a way. After a while, Lin Ruhai gradually recovered, however, at the banquet, he was still not in high spirits and only ate more desserts.

  Lin Jing had a personal maid named Bi Cao, so she was quite aware of the gossip in the mansion. This time, she heard from Bi Cao that it was actually the original wife's senior maid, Qing Liu, who had skills and good craftsmanship, making pastries that even the old master appreciated.

  The green grass was still afraid that Lin Jing wouldn't believe her, so she brought out the old man from the back kitchen. She said it was her father, Wang Er Niu, oh, the one who chopped firewood and carried water, coal and goods. With his own eyes, he saw that every day, the gentle willow maiden would go to the back kitchen to personally make some pastries, then take them away. Some busybodies followed from afar and took a peek, each time going to the old master's study. When the plates were returned, they were all empty.

  Biqiu spoke while narrowing her eyes, and couldn't help but think: "What kind of taste is it exactly? If I could just have a bite, that would be great! No, half a bite, even just a tiny bit would do."

  Lin Jing looked at this girl and didn't say much. This child is truly happy, isn't she?

  Not long after, Lin Jing was fortunate enough to witness the scene of Lin Ruhai giving face. After observing this, Lin Jing felt that art indeed originated from life. Poor grandma, I won't scold you again.

  That day was the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, Lin Jing arrived earlier than usual and stood in Lin Ruhai's study, getting used to Old Master's brainwashing-like lectures.

  Lin Jing listened while secretly urging in her heart, hoping that this old man would finish the procedure quickly so she could go to her master's place to spend the holiday together.

  Just then, I heard someone outside say that Qing Liu had arrived.

  Lin Ruhai stopped his speech and said: "Come in."

  Lin Jing looked at the door. First, a hand appeared, white and plain, lifting the cotton curtain at the door, with a half-hidden pipa-like feeling. At the lifted curtain, more than half of a body appeared, wearing a plain white hemp garment.