Chapter 3: The Dowager Visits

  Jia Zheng and Jia Lian both hung their heads, not daring to look at Grandmother Jia. Grandmother Jia chattered on and on, finally sighing and stopping. "Alright, since they've all returned, I'll personally go visit tomorrow. After all, I'm a senior, the Lin family won't refuse me this courtesy. Feng'er, you go prepare."

  "Don't worry, ancestors, I'll get everything ready." Wang Xifeng nodded, watching her husband being scolded. Her face was also expressionless, but the ancestors still had to rely on her to handle many things, and her position in the Jia household seemed more stable than Jia Lian's.

  On the second day, Lin Ruohai went to court for an audience. Originally, he didn't need to attend the court as he was supposed to return to Beijing to report on his duties, but yesterday's secret edict from Kangxi had arrived, and he had no choice but to go to court. He smiled wryly in his heart, knowing that Kangxi must be planning to bestow a title upon him at court, but who knew what kind of title it would be?

  Lin Ruhai had just left when a horse-drawn carriage came out of the Jia Mansion and rushed towards the Lin Mansion, brushing past Lin Ruhai.

  Madam Wang lifted the curtain, took a look at Lin Ruhai's attire, and was even more determined to maintain a relationship with the Lin family. Moreover, for that person's sake, she must let Baoyu marry Daiyu; otherwise, it would be a big mistake.

  In the imperial court, Lin Ruhai's appearance caused a great stir. This man who had been demoted for many years and was thought to have been forgotten by the Emperor suddenly appeared in the morning court with an air of confidence, looking quite well, wasn't it said that he was on the verge of death from grief over his deceased wife?

  Suo E Tuo smiled as he gazed at Lin Ruhai, "Lin Ruhai, since you dare to return to the capital, I'll make sure you have no way out. We need to settle our accounts properly." Mingzhu looked thoughtful as she watched Lin Ruhai, thinking that Suo E Tuo and Lin Ruhai had deep contradictions, wondering if she could take advantage of it to expand the power of Zhenguo Duke. Meanwhile, both of the two chief assistants of the current dynasty began to plot against Lin Ruhai, who remained calm and serene in the face of their schemes.

  In the corner, Jia Zheng and Jia She exchanged a glance, but neither of them had the courage or audacity to step forward and strike up a conversation. After all, Lin Ruhai's official position was far higher than theirs, and if anything went wrong, the Jia family would really lose face.

  "The Emperor has arrived!" Li Dequan's unique voice rang out.

  "Long live the Emperor, long live, long live!" All the officials knelt down under the leadership of Mingzhu and Suo Ertu.

  "Bow and withdraw. If there is business, present a memorial; if not, retire from court."

  One by one, the ministers stood up and said something. Some things were really small. Lin Ruhai stood bored on the side, he felt Emperor Kangxi's gaze was always on him, being so concerned by an emperor made him very uncomfortable.

  "Very well, I have something to say. Minister Lin."

  Lin Ruhai reluctantly stepped forward, and it finally began.

  "Lin Aiqing has been in charge of the Jiangnan salt industry for many years, with great labor and achievement. He is specially granted the title of Duke of Dingguo and awarded a yellow riding jacket." Kangxi said calmly, and the officials below looked at each other, this Lin gentleman was indeed extraordinary.

  "Your subject thanks your majesty's great kindness." Lin Ruhai bowed and retreated back into the ranks.

  It wasn't until much later that the morning court finally adjourned. "Lord Lin, His Majesty requests your presence." Li Dequan hastened his pace and caught up to Lin Ruhai, who was about to leave.

  "I understand." Under the gaze of everyone, Lin Ruhai followed Li Dequan back to the Qianqing Palace.

  "Long live Your Majesty..." Lin Ruhai's words were cut off by Kangxi before he could finish.

  "There is no outsider here." Kangxi waved his hand somewhat displeased.

  "Very well, what does Your Majesty command?"

  "The ancestors want to see Jade Hairpin." Kangxi sighed and said, recalling the conversation with Xiaozhuang yesterday. Kangxi couldn't help but worry about Daiyu's and Ruhai's fate.

  "Yu'er's body has not fully recovered, and I fear she may infect the Empress Dowager." Lin Ruhai refused.

  "Is that so?" An aged voice sounded, and Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang walked in with the support of Sumalagu.

  "Pay respects to Empress Dowager." "Pay respects to Queen Mother." Lin Ruhai and Kangxi said respectively as they made their bows.

  "Get up, Mr. Lin! It's been a long time, over ten years, hasn't it?" Xiangzhuang was helped to sit down in the main seat, her benevolent gaze fell on Lin Ruhai, but there was a hint of coldness in her eyes.

  "Yes." Lin Ruhai was even more defensive against Tai Huang's Empress Dowager.

  "Today's weather is not bad, Xuan Ye, let's go out for a walk." Xiaozhuang didn't look at Lin Ruhai again, but directly looked at Kangxi. When Lin Ruhai heard this, his heart skipped a beat, but he couldn't say anything to refuse.

  Kangxi nodded his head, he also wanted to see Daiyu, the crowd tidied up and quietly left the palace.

  In the inner court, Lady Jia was drinking tea in her side room. She had already drunk a pot of tea, but Daiyu still hadn't come to see her. This made her feel insulted and she was furious inside.

  "Where is your young lady?" asked Mrs. Jia to a maid standing beside her.

  "The princess is weak and still resting." The maid said with a disdainful glance at Mrs. Jia.

  "It's almost noon and you're still resting." said Mrs. Jia angrily.

  "What's wrong? The young lady of our house is a princess, she wants to see you then she sees you, who are you?" Xia Hua said impatiently.

  "Summer flowers cannot be without courtesy." Daiyu walked in with the support of Xueyan and Zijuan, while Grandmother Jia and Wang Xifeng behind her did not move. Xueyan frowned, feeling a bit angry that they didn't show respect to Miss Lin, this matter absolutely couldn't be settled like this.

  "Participate in the princess." Xia Hua made a courtesy to Daiyu, which was meant to remind Jia Mu of Daiyu's identity, but Jia Mu still didn't move.

  "How dare you, a lowly servant, not pay respects when seeing the princess." Xue Yan couldn't help but stand up and say, "You dare to disrespect the royal family."

  "Is this the kind of family education you have in the Lin household?" Madam Wang covered up her angry expression and sarcastically looked at Daiyu.

  "This is the dignity of the imperial family." Daiyu took over the tea, took a sip before whispering, "Grandmother wants to pay respects, naturally Daiyu can't accept it, but Daiming and Shuogong Princess can." Old Lady Jia knew this principle well enough, but today she was both anxious and still thought of Daiyu as that little girl who let her do whatever she wanted, so naturally she didn't put her in her eyes.

  Lady Wang heard this, and her heart skipped a beat. She reluctantly walked to the center of the room, intending to pay respects. Just as she knelt down, Daiyu stopped her, "Never mind, since there are no outsiders today, it's not necessary. However, I hope that in the future, Grandmother will remember this - not all princesses have my good temper."

  Mrs. Jia's anger flared up, and she herself knelt down before saying such words: "Lin Daiyu, Lin Daiyu, who do you think you are? How dare you speak to me like this?"

  Wang Xifeng imperceptibly pulled Madame Wang over and helped her sit down on one side.

  "Grandmother's news is indeed well-informed, yesterday I and Ama had just returned to the capital, today you came to see us. It's really embarrassing, Lin's house has been uninhabited for a long time, now it's still a bit messy. For the inadequate hospitality, please forgive me. After all, everyone is busy with cleaning up now." Daiyu said with a faint smile, implying that she was very busy and they could leave.

  Madam Wang's face turned bright red and she took several deep breaths before managing to contain herself.

  "Princess..."