Red Mansion and Crimson Pearl

Chapter 399 Stubborn Girl

Hong Chang naturally agreed and said with a smile: "In two days, when the Empress Dowager is better, I will go and stay with her for a few days.

"When I leave the palace, I will tell people that I was in the palace during the first month of the year, and I stayed in all the Yanjia Palace!"

As he said this, he subconsciously ordered someone, "Go tell Aunt Cheng to move my luggage to the East Side Hall..."

The word "Aunt Cheng" made all three of them fall silent.

The relaxed scene that was barely holding on suddenly became seven points heavier.

When Hongchang followed Daiyu back to the East Wing Hall, he couldn't help crying again: "Aunt Cheng has watched us grow up since we were young.

"Not only me, but all four of us, who hasn't been slapped by her? Who hasn't been fed water or patted on the back by her during a nap? Who hasn't acted coquettishly or played tricks on her?

"Even my father and mother were taught by Aunt Cheng to follow rules and cover up their mistakes when they were young..."

Choking and wiping away tears, "My mother said that when I was a child, Aunt Cheng held me in her arms. At that time, she weighed me and said: This weight is equivalent to two Yongchangs back then!"

Daiyu also went down in silence.

She didn't interact much with Aunt Cheng, and was even alienated and treated coldly at one point.

But this aunt looked after the Queen Mother sincerely and wholeheartedly, and was loyal and thoughtful. With her by the Queen Mother's side, everyone felt very relieved.

Now that this aunt is gone, Aunt Meng who has taken her place is not only an old servant who has served the empress dowager, but also the first female doctor.

But from the Emperor Taishang and Emperor Zhaoming to himself and Tanchun, I'm afraid there is no one who doesn't miss them.

Fortunately, there is Zijuan.

Daiyu hesitated for a moment and ordered someone to call Zijuan over.

Hongchang went to the back garden to watch the flowers falling and cried, while Daiyu and Zijuan had a private conversation in the inner room.

Qingwen, who was waiting outside for the call, whispered to Xueyan, "Look, the young lady has softened her heart again. She wants to keep Zijuan with the Queen Mother."

"I always feel that Sister Zijuan is not happy." Xueyan also replied to her in a low voice.

Qingwen shook her head and said, "This morning I heard Xiaohong talking about how it would be a good thing if Zijuan could stay here."

Xueyan was curious: "Why?"

"She is the same as Xiaohong. For two or three lifetimes, she was a servant of the Jia family. I don't know how many relatives and old friends she has.

"If you were to say that their family had not been involved in any of the dirty deeds that happened in the Rong and Ning mansions in the past, even the Bodhisattva wouldn't believe it.

"Although the princess is the princess, and her family's indentures are in her hands, if past events are brought up, there is no guarantee that there won't be some implications."

Qingwen whispered, "This is different from you and me!"

Xueyan suddenly understood, nodded repeatedly, and whispered: "That's right! If she follows the Empress Dowager and works as a court lady in the palace, even if the outside world blames the Jia family for another seventy or eighty years, she will not be implicated!"

The two of them talked for a moment before Zijuan ran out in a hurry with red eyes and wiping tears.

Daiyu was so anxious that she chased after her and grabbed her: "You little girl, why are you so stubborn!"

Zijuan stiffened her neck and cried back, "I won't! I'll be wherever the girl is! Not to mention being a third-rank court lady, I won't even be a first-rank queen!"

"If I leave the girl and enjoy wealth and glory on my own, I will die!"

She only served the Empress Dowager "on behalf of" Daiyu to fulfill her filial piety. Now she is so devoted and dedicated because the Empress Dowager treats Daiyu very well, so she treats the Empress Dowager very well.

As for other glory, it was never what she wanted.

Daiyu helplessly held her forehead, remained silent for a while, and reluctantly let go: "Forget it. I will stay with the Queen Mother for at least three or four years.

“Let’s just keep doing this for the next few years.

"You can also take on a few apprentices and teach them some good skills, so as not to wrong the Queen Mother in the future."

Zijuan wiped her tears and agreed, but she couldn't help complaining to Daiyu: "Miss, you always forget the promise we made when we were little. You always want to send me away without caring about my feelings!"

Daiyu's heart softened. She took her hand and wiped her tears with her own handkerchief, whispering:

"Isn't it all for your own good? You have no conscience! The Jia family's matter is so serious, maybe everyone in the family will be involved..."

"They enjoyed happiness in the past, so they deserve to suffer now! Girl, don't try to control everything. It would be a mistake to control too much!"

Zijuan refuted her, snatched her handkerchief, wiped her tears, put it in her arms, and gave her a lecture.

"The old lady has already said that she won't let the young lady take charge. Since she said so, it means she has already made a plan. If the young lady interferes, aren't you afraid of ruining the plan?"

Daiyu was about to snatch the handkerchief from her arms when her hand froze and she looked up at Zijuan.

Zijuan said earnestly: "Young lady, you also know that the Jia family's affairs are very serious, and no one can protect anyone except the Queen Mother.

"Why don't you stand further away?

"Don't feel sorry for the old lady, and don't feel hateful towards Mrs. Wang and Mrs. Shihou. There's no telling how complicated this matter will be!

"There are many murderous words out there. Even with such a big incident, the emperor didn't dare to let the queen mother take medicine alone in the first month of the year. Isn't this a clear proof?

"As a girl, instead of avoiding trouble, you seek it out. Is that a serious thing to do?

"Your Majesty, you have delivered what you should deliver and done what you should do. Don't go any further.

"Go further and you will reach Daming Palace!"

To confront the people in the Daming Palace means not only confronting the four surnames and the murderer of his father, but also confronting all the people who pursue fame and fortune in the world, as well as many women who want to curry favor with the emperor.

Such a war is not something that a mere Lin Daiyu or Princess Zhaoqing can shoulder alone.

Zijuan's eyes turned red again as she spoke: "How much suffering has the girl endured since she was a child? She has never had a peaceful day.

"Now that I can finally enjoy my honor and dignity, I can just accompany and serve the Queen Mother. Why would I wade into those dirty, muddy waters?"

Daiyu sighed, took a step forward, hugged Zijuan, and whispered in her ear: "I am my father's daughter, how can I stay out of this?"

Lin Ruhai was firstly the enemy of the Zhen family, secondly an acquaintance of Emperor Zhaoming, and thirdly a victim who had joined the game early on.

As Lin Ruhai's daughter, how could she possibly get away with what happened over the past thirty years?

Rather than being passively involved without knowing anything, it is better to take the initiative and lead every step.

Zijuan understood that Daiyu had no choice but to do so, but she still wanted her to try to protect herself; Daiyu understood that Zijuan was worried about her safety, but she had to move forward bravely no matter what.

Both of them knew that the other was doing it for their own good, but they also knew that they might not be able to persuade the other to change their ways.

Daiyu reluctantly let Zijuan go: "You can help me a lot just by taking good care of the Queen Mother."

Zijuan knelt down and bowed her head, "As long as the girl doesn't give me to someone else, I will do whatever you ask me to do."