Red Mansion: Bastards rule the roost

Chapter 95 Extremely ill
  The Lin family had already been waiting on the Yangzhou pier. The leader was a tall, thin old man in his fifties who was energetic and energetic. He was Lin Nan, the son of the Lin family and their old housekeeper.

"Lin Nan has met Second Master Lian and Third Master Cong."

Jia Lian hurriedly helped Lin Nan up and said, "The old housekeeper is too polite and he is not an outsider. Isn't this a sign of separation?"

Jia Cong looked around and saw that the carriages, horses, sedans, young men and women were well prepared. It was more than enough, even for 200 people. Obviously, the Salt Patrol Censor was quite well-off in Yangzhou City.

"Sister Lin is on the boat. Please ask the old housekeeper to send someone to come next." Jia Cong said.

"Yes." Lin Nan waved his hand, and four strong women carrying a soft sedan boarded the boat, took Daiyu down, and carried her onto the carriage.

Many strong women went up and carried down the master's personal maids such as Qingwen, Qianxue, Zicuckoo, and Xueyan.

Many servants and women then boarded the boat and moved the gift boxes, cages and other items.

Lin Nan did not hesitate, picked up the three hosts and left, leaving the luggage and other belongings to be taken care of by the steward below.

Jia Cong rode on the horse and asked: "Steward Lin, how is Uncle Lin's condition?"

Lin Nan sighed and said: "My master's illness is strange. In the past, I was just a little weak. He was prone to fatigue and lack of food on weekdays, and he never had any serious illness. In the past few months, I don't know why he suddenly fell ill." All the symptoms are coming together, and my body is getting worse day by day, and I can see...sigh."

"What did the imperial doctor say?" Jia Lian asked.

"Not to mention, all the famous imperial doctors in Yangzhou City were invited, and even the famous doctors in Jinling City were invited. Some said it was due to the inability of Yang to transform dampness, and some said it was due to the external attack of wind evil. Some say it’s caused by dampness and poison soaking in, some say it’s caused by internal accumulation of dampness and heat, but it’s hard to say for sure. I’m afraid even dozens of kilograms of various medicines may be taken, but they won’t be effective.”

Jia Cong sighed secretly in his heart and did not ask any more questions. He knew that Lin Ruhai would not be able to escape this disaster, so asking was in vain.

Following the official road, we could not travel more than a mile and then entered Yangzhou City.

I saw that the city of Yangzhou was full of cars and horses, row upon row of shops, and crowded with pedestrians, making it look like a bustling city.

Jia Lian sighed: "As expected, what the ancients said is true. With a hundred thousand guan in your pocket, you can ride a crane down to Yangzhou. It's no wonder that the emperor stayed in Yangzhou during his sixth trip to the south of the Yangtze River. Yangzhou is as rich as the Shenjing."

Lin Nan smiled and said: "Second Master Lian has overrated it. Yangzhou is nothing more than a small town in the mountains. How can it dare to be compared with the imperial capital Shenjing. However, when it comes to wealth, there has been a saying in ancient times that 'one Yang benefits two'."

"What do you mean?" Jia Cong asked.

"It means that, apart from Shenjing, the most prosperous places in the world are Yangzhou and Chengdu." Lin Nan explained.

Jia Cong nodded and said: "The salt merchants of Lianghuai are the richest in the world, no one knows it."

Lin Nan nodded in agreement.

Jia Lian smiled and said: "No matter how rich the salt merchant is, he still has to look up to Mr. Lin."

When Lin Ruhai was mentioned, Lin Nan's expression couldn't help but darken.

After a while, we arrived at the place.

Jia Cong looked up and saw a huge plaque on the gate with four characters: Lianghuai Salt Courtyard. This is the famous Censor Yamen who inspects the salt administration in Lianghuai and is referred to as the Salt Administration Yamen.

The gate opened, welcoming Jia Cong and his entourage. The carriage went straight to the back house and stopped outside the Yimen.

After all the boys retreated, a healthy woman got out of the car and carried Daiyu in on a soft sedan chair.

Jia Cong and others followed closely and visited Lin Ruhai in his house.

As soon as I entered the house, I smelled a strong medicinal smell. The house was airtight and incense was burning, so the smell was overwhelming.

Jia Cong saw Lin Ruhai lying on the bed, her complexion was sallow and swollen, her spirit was listless and haggard, and she could only breathe more than a living person while lying on the bed. Seeing this scene, Lin Daiyu couldn't bear it anymore. She cried "Daddy" and threw herself in front of the bed, holding Lin Ruhai's hand. Tears burst into her eyes, and she cried so much that everyone felt sad.

Lin Ruhai reluctantly opened her eyes, looked at Daiyu, and said with a smile: "Yuer, you are back. I thought I would never see you again."

"Dad... my daughter is unfilial and she will never leave again." Daiyu cried.

"You're talking stupid again. Who sent you back?"

Hearing Lin Ruhai ask, Jia Lian and Jia Cong hurriedly stepped forward and said, "Uncle, the old lady ordered Jia Lian and Jia Cong to escort my sister back. Uncle, don't worry, it's important to take care of yourself."

Lin Ruhai nodded and said, "Excuse me, brothers."

The two were busy and humble.

Lin Ruhai's eyes fell on Jia Cong, smiled slightly, and said slowly: "Brother Cong, you are very good. I send my heart to Han Xingquan, but I recommend Xuanyuan with my blood. These two poems describe all the merits and demerits of my life, good!"

As he spoke, he started coughing violently. A middle-aged woman next to him hurriedly stepped forward to pat his chest and help him breathe. She brought him a bowl of concoction and held him in her arms to feed him slowly.

After taking the medicine, Lin Ruhai stopped coughing, leaned on the woman, and said with a smile: "Brother Cong, the Holy One has very high expectations for you. You should do your best and don't make any mistakes."

"Cong would like to follow my uncle's teachings. Please don't waste your time talking and just rest." Jia Cong bowed hurriedly.

Lin Ruhai waved her hand and ordered the others to go out. Only Daiyu, Jia Cong and the woman were left in the room.

"Brother Cong, I know my own health well. I think I'm going to die soon..." Lin Ruhai took a few breaths and said softly.

"Dad... why do you say such depressing words? You are my great minister today, and there are so many important things waiting for you to do. How can you give up on yourself like this? Even my mother will be angry when she sees you like this. Yes." Daiyu cried and persuaded.

Lin Ruhai struggled to raise her hand and stroked Daiyu's temples, and said with a smile: "Idiot, you have a destiny, how can you force me to meet your mother as soon as possible? It's not too late for her to be happy."

"No! I don't want dad to leave..." Daiyu held on to Lin Ruhai's hand, for fear that if she let go, he would die.

Lin Ruhai shook his head, a trace of sadness flashed in his eyes, and patted her hand, but he had no strength to comfort her.

The woman obviously had a different identity and knew Lin Ruhai's thoughts well. She stroked Daiyu's back and said, "Miss, please don't be sad. If you are sad, won't the master be even more sad and sick?"

"Aunt Shuang is right, dad, please be good, as long as I don't cry." Daiyu quickly stopped talking.

Lin Ruhai nodded and looked at Jia Cong with a smile: "The only thing I can't let go of now is Yu'er. I've heard for a long time that Brother Cong is strong-willed at home and will not give in to his ambitions despite the pressure of his elders. Can you teach me?"

Jia Cong didn't expect that his "famous name" would spread so far, so he hurriedly bowed and said, "Cong is scared."

I dare not show any slights to this first-grade Tanhua Lang, who was Jian's close confidant in the emperor's heart when I went to the mansion today.

Since he asked, there must be a reason. Jia Cong thought for a moment and said, "My uncle asked me about it, but Cong didn't dare not to answer, so I tried to explain it for my uncle's reference."

"Say it, don't worry." Lin Ruhai said feebly.

"My uncle must know that everyone in the mansion has a wealthy heart and decent eyes. Although Sister Lin has been in the mansion for so many years, although she is loved by the old lady and has enough food and clothing, she is still not as good as at home. Sometimes, It is inevitable that some gossipy mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law will say weird things and show no respect.

Sister Lin has a pure and thoughtful character. Even if she feels unhappy in her heart, she never tells the old lady or the others. She thinks she has secretly suffered a lot of grievances over the years. "Jia Cong said slowly.

Daiyu's heart trembled, and she turned to look at Jia Cong, with tears rolling down her face. She couldn't believe that brother Cong understood her pain so well and said all the things she couldn't say.

(End of this chapter)