northernbook Chapter 140 Lack of Money
Chapter 140 Lack of Money
Lin Ruhai got along well with Tao Ge'er and behaved well in front of the prince, so the appointment of Lin Ruhai as the prince's tutor was decided that day.
So, the next day, the imperial edict that Lin Ruhai was transferred to the East Palace to make an imperial edict was delivered to Rongguo Mansion.
Even the person who came to convey the imperial edict was Chang Ying, who had taken Lin Ruhai around the Eastern Palace.
Chang Ying looked at Lin Ruhai and smiled brightly, even going over to help him up personally: "Sir Lin, the Crown Princess said that Prince Duan's enlightenment is her first major event.
"You are now living in the Duke's Mansion. Although you and your wife are reunited with your family, it is a bit far from the East Palace.
"So I asked the Crown Prince and reported to His Majesty, who granted you a house next to the East Palace.
"Although it's small, it's close. Besides, I heard that your family is simple, with only your wife and daughter, so I think it should be big enough for you to live in.
"The house has been renovated and you can move in after just a little dusting. The East Palace has already sent people to clean it up. I think it will be done in a day or two and will not delay your New Year celebrations.
"Also, the prince is worried that you may not be familiar with the customs and local conditions of the capital city after not being in the capital for a long time, so he sent you two young eunuchs to serve as your permanent attendants. They are now arranging for the cleaning of the house."
Lin Ruhai was sweating profusely. He struggled to kneel down and kowtowed in the direction of the Eastern Palace: "I have not done anything great, yet I have received such a special favor. I am truly ashamed and unworthy!"
The Jia family members also knelt behind, listening to these graces bestowed, looking at the warmth with which Chang Ying treated them, and thinking about how Lin Ruhai had used the excuse of being tired and not telling them what he had seen in the Eastern Palace after he returned yesterday, the faces of the men of the Jia family became increasingly gloomy.
"Oh, by the way, the princess said that you must not forget the agreement she made with you." Chang Ying finished the last sentence with a smile, waved his whisk, and said goodbye.
Lin Ruhai wiped the sweat off his face as he walked him off, but was also stopped.
When they heard the word "Princess", everyone in the Jia family was confused, except for Lady Jia and Lady Jia, who immediately thought of Wang Xifeng. After looking at each other, Lady Jia smiled and called Lin Ruhai:
"Ru Hai, how could you and the princess have an agreement? What was the agreement?"
Lin Ruhai uttered an "oh" and answered truthfully: "When I went to the palace to see the prince yesterday, the princess and I were playing together.
"The princess heard from somewhere that I have a daughter, so she told me that if my wife goes to the palace to pay a visit to the Crown Princess, she must bring her daughter with her because she wants to see her.
"How dare I refuse such a favor from the princess? So I agreed."
After saying this, he sighed and stamped his feet, "The princess originally said that it was time for me to go to the palace to pay New Year's greetings...
"But now the Eastern Palace has granted the house in the name of the Crown Princess. I'm afraid Madam will have to bring Yu'er to the palace tomorrow."
The latter part of his words were directed to his wife Jia Min.
Jia Min was only over thirty, but there were already a few strands of silver hair on her temples. She looked emaciated and haggard.
She was also holding the hand of a six-year-old girl, who was thin-faced, slender-waisted and extremely delicate. It was their only daughter, Lin Daiyu.
Grandmother Jia looked at Jia Min, hesitated for a moment, and said, "Min'er has just recovered from a serious illness, I'm afraid she can't stand the trip to the East Palace to pay homage; Yu'er is also timid, I'm afraid it's not appropriate for her to go out.
"Otherwise, why don't you ask your second sister-in-law to go to the East Palace to express her gratitude?"
Jia Min tightened her grip on Lin Daiyu's hand slightly, but after receiving her mother's signal, she had no choice but to look at Lin Ruhai: "Master, mother is right."
"No." Lin Ruhai was calm, but he did not give in. "Mother-in-law, you don't know that the eunuch who came to deliver the imperial edict today was the one who took me to see the Crown Princess, the Prince, and the Crown Prince's East Palace yesterday.
"He was one of the most favored attendants of the Crown Prince, and was in charge of the Sixth Rank Director of the Department of Decoration. He was in charge of all matters concerning the Crown Prince's living, such as the laying out of the bed, sweeping the floor, etc.
"When he talked to me, he mentioned my family, but I didn't tell him that Min'er was ill. When Princess He Ke mentioned letting my wife and daughter enter the palace in front of him, I didn't tell him that Min'er was ill either.
“When I came out to receive the imperial edict just now, Min Er did not report being sick. Instead, she followed me closely, moving freely and knowing when to move.
"When you should go to the Eastern Palace to express your gratitude, you report a serious illness instead. This is disrespect to the Eastern Palace and you will be punished.
"If mother-in-law is worried that Min'er and the child can't hold on, then let them go to the new house for the time being, and let the eunuchs sent by the prince help adjust their diet, and find an imperial physician to take a closer look at them, and let them recuperate for a few days.
"At the Eastern Palace, I can just go and kowtow and express my gratitude myself.
"When the new year comes, you will have to go to the palace to kowtow no matter what. It won't be too late to go then."
In a word, no one else is allowed to enter the palace "instead" of Jia Min and Lin Daiyu.
Grandmother Jia was displeased.
Jia Min also lowered her head.
When Jia Wangshi was about to speak, Jia Zheng interrupted her: "My brother-in-law is right. The prince is the favorite of the Crown Princess. Since my brother-in-law is the prince's teacher, the Crown Princess will naturally want to show more favor to his wife and daughter."
"How can we ask the maid's family to do this kind of thing? Minmei has recovered from her illness. She can rest for a few more days and then go to the East Palace to kowtow before the New Year. It's quite suitable."
So, he didn't let anyone from the Jia family go to the Eastern Palace to express gratitude on behalf of his wife because he was afraid that the Yue family would snatch the reward from his family! ?
Lin Ruhai recalled that his wife had mentioned last night that her parents wanted to borrow money but he had refused. He knew that Yue's family might be hostile to him and would become estranged from him. He took a deep breath, smiled again, and said:
"What my second brother said is not without reason. Your sister and your niece are both delicate and weak. If the Crown Princess can show her mercy and ask the imperial physician to treat them, or even give them precious medicinal herbs, it would save you, me and my mother-in-law a lot of trouble.
"As long as she and her daughter are healthy, they can continue to be filial to their mother-in-law, and I, as her son-in-law, will not be complained about in the future.
"Based on this alone, I will never let anyone else have the chance to visit the palace, haha!"
As he spoke, he walked over to Jia Zheng and patted his arm with a laugh.
Advance and retreat, both soft and hard.
Things have come to this point. If the Jia family continues to force their way, it would mean that they will immediately turn against each other.
But the Jia family still hoped that Lin Ruhai would gain power in the Eastern Palace and then give them more benefits. Now that the opportunity is right in front of them, how can they really take it?
When Jia She and Jia Zheng exchanged glances, they all laughed, twirling their beards.
Jia Zheng took the opportunity to invite Lin Ruhai to the study to talk, but Lin Ruhai refused. He walked over, picked up his daughter, and said with a smile, "Don't worry, brother. I will send Yu'er back first.
"I promised the child that I would accompany her to paint a picture of narcissus, and I can't break my promise. After the painting is finished, I will go to the study to play chess with my second brother."
Giving enough face, it can be considered a polite refusal.
Jia Zheng nodded in agreement with a smile on his face.
Jia Min's face turned pale.
The couple returned to the Lixiang Courtyard that Jia's mansion had arranged for them. When they entered the main room, Lin Ruhai put Lin Daiyu down and immediately ordered the wet nurse to take her downstairs first: "Change your clothes, give her a glass of warm water, and then come back."
Then he dismissed all the servants, stared at Jia Min closely, and asked her in a deep voice:
"Tell me the truth, what on earth did the Jia family do to be so short of money?!"