Chapter 12 Journey to Yangzhou
When Daiyu was two years old, I was promoted. The Emperor sent me to the prosperous Yangzhou as Salt Commissioner.
This was a lucrative post. The Emperor's regard for me needed no further words.
Before going to Yangzhou, The Emperor specifically called me to his side and instructed me repeatedly.
I knew in my heart how crucial the position of Yangzhou Salt Commissioner was.
The Emperor said he was entrusting me with half the burden of the empire. "Manage Jiangnan well for me, Ruhai."
The Emperor was a bit old, but still held my hand like back then.
I often suspected The Emperor was gay, but as I left the capital, I turned to look at the bustling capital.
The Emperor's rather ordinary yet exhausted face appeared in my mind. Probably I, Lin Ruhai, was one of the few people he could confide in during his lonely political career.
That is why his attitude toward me was so good, and he specially sent eight more Imperial Physicians with me to go to Yangzhou together.
We sailed south. This was Daiyu's first time on a boat, and also her first time traveling far.
The small person wore pink brocade clothes. Her high bun was a bit messed up by the wind.
She leaned on the side looking at the green mountains on both banks, somewhat entranced.
"Daiyu, what are you thinking?"
Daiyu looked up. "Father, will we return to the capital?"
In Dream of the Red Chamber, Jia Min and I never returned to the capital again.
And at six years old, Daiyu boarded the ship back to the capital alone with unease and the grief of losing her mother, entered the Jia Household, and from then on opened the prelude to the tragedy of all beauties in the Red Chamber.
"We will naturally return. Father and mother will accompany you back together."
I rubbed Daiyu's little head and promised softly.
Daiyu smiled with upturned lips. I picked her up.
"I secretly read father's books before and came across this poem by Wang Wei: After new rain in the empty mountains, the weather turns autumnal in the evening. The bright moon shines among the pines, clear springs flow over the stones."
Daiyu spoke of poetry, her whole body seeming draped in moonlight, like a fairy from the Guanghan Palace transcending nature.
"I did not understand the interest in it before, but seeing this scenery today, I feel it fits perfectly."
She blinked her big eyes and discussed Wang Wei's natural simplicity with me in her childish voice.
I then knew it was time to properly teach her to study.