Chapter 228 I Want Both Sisters
In addition to fixed holidays such as the Winter Solstice, Spring Festival, and Lantern Festival, Dashun civil officials take one day off every ten days, also known as a ten-day break. Of course, this routine holiday is a rotation system, and today is Mei Hanlin’s turn to take a break.

It’s snowing outside, but it’s warm as spring inside.

There was a first-class hot pot bubbling with steam on the table. Mei Hanlin picked up a piece of mutton as thin as paper and put it into the copper pot. As the chopsticks rose and fell, the fresh aroma of the meat wafted into his nose. He dipped the piece of meat in the fragrant sesame paste, took a bite, and drank a glass of wine. Mei Hanlin hummed a little tune with contentment!
Mei Hanlin was in a good mood. From now on, he was no longer the poor Hanlin who lived on others’ support. He had embraced the big tree of King Zhongshun, and promotion and wealth were just around the corner. The three major happy events in middle age were promotion, wealth, and changing wives. He didn’t dare to change his wife, but it was no problem to marry a young and beautiful one.

After drinking another large glass of wine in one gulp, Mei Hanlin picked up another piece of mutton and was about to put it into the pot.

Suddenly, the door was pushed open!
Mei Hanlin’s hand trembled, and the mutton and the chopsticks fell into the copper pot. The splashing soup fell on the back of his hand, scalding him so much that he screamed. At the same time, he stood up suddenly, shook his hands vigorously, and shouted at Master Mei who had barged in: “Damn little beast, you are in a hurry to reincarnate!”

Mr. Mei’s eyes sparkled with excitement: “Father, I want to marry her!”

Mei Hanlin was startled and asked anxiously, “Who are you going to marry?”

Mr. Mei: “It’s the second daughter of the Xue family that my father arranged a marriage for me. No, I want both sisters. I also want the eldest daughter of the Xue family.” At this point, he swallowed hard, “I have never seen such beautiful women. Even if all the top courtesans in the Qinlou and Chuguan in the capital were tied together, they would not be as beautiful as one of them!”

Mei Hanlin frowned and was about to get angry.

Master Mei spoke again: “Marriage is destined by heaven, and a perfect couple is made in heaven. This is absolutely true.” As he spoke, he grabbed Mei Hanlin’s hand and said, “This is all arranged by heaven. A gust of wind happened to lift the curtain of the Xue family’s carriage, and I happened to get off the carriage. I just took a look. Father, I want to marry them!”

Mei Hanlin’s face darkened: “What nonsense!”

Mr. Mei was not afraid at all and shouted, “I don’t care, I want to marry them! I will marry them!”

Mei Hanlin: “The girl from the Xue family is still young.”

Seeing that Mei Hanlin was willing to give in, Master Mei hurriedly said, “Then marry the eldest daughter of the Xue family first!”

Mei Hanlin was so angry that he said, “Who do you think you are? How can a commoner with no official position or title have the qualifications to take a concubine?”

Master Mei: “You have surrendered to Prince Zhongshun, so why don’t you just ask him to donate an official position to me?”

With a slap in the face, Master Mei took several steps back before he could stand firmly.

Mei Hanlin: “You bastard! If you dare to talk nonsense outside, I will skin you alive!”

Master Mei covered his face with his hands, looking incredulous: “You, if you hit me, I’ll tell mother.” He ran out like a flash.

Mei Hanlin shouted loudly: “Someone come!”

A servant came in in response.

Mei Hanlin: “From today on, no one is allowed to let that little beast out!”

The servant replied, “Yes.” and walked out.

At this moment, the housekeeper came in hurriedly, covered in snow.

Mei Hanlin: “Have you seen the old butler?”

The housekeeper’s eyes were filled with panic: “Dead, dead.”

Mei Hanlin was startled: “Who died?!”

The butler swallowed his saliva and said, “The old butler’s entire family was slaughtered, not a single one was left alive!”

Mei Hanlin’s head buzzed.

The housekeeper said: “Prince Zhongshun has personally led the people from the Infantry Command Office to go there, Master, you should be ready.”

Mei Hanlin understood that since he had met the old butler last night, King Zhongshun would definitely ask him to reply.

At this time, a maid hurried in, greeted Mei Hanlin, and then said, “Master, the madam wants you to come over.”

Mei Hanlin’s face changed, and he said loudly: “Go and tell your wife, if you let that little beast do whatever he wants, not only will my life be ruined, but this family will also be destroyed in his hands!”

The maid was startled.

Mei Hanlin’s face turned cold: “Why don’t you go!”

The maid said, “Yes.” and ran out in a hurry.

Mei Hanlin sighed deeply and said, “One day, my life will be lost in their hands!”

At this moment, a servant ran in in a panic and reported to Mei Hanlin: “Master, someone from Prince Zhongshun’s Palace has arrived and wants you to go to the palace.”

Mei Hanlin’s heart skipped a beat. How could the person who came here be someone from Prince Zhongshun’s palace? This was a trap for him! We had clearly agreed yesterday that we would keep in touch behind the scenes and not make this relationship public!

Butler: “Master”

We’ve got on a pirate ship! Mei Hanlin closed his eyes and said, “Let’s go.” Then he strode out.

The imperial desk in the Hall of Mental Cultivation was piled with memorials again. Emperor Yongchang raised his head from the pile of memorials and looked at Dai Quan who came in.

Dai Quan walked to the imperial desk, took out an official document from his sleeve and presented it to him.

Emperor Yongchang took the document and read it, asking, “Who could it be?”

Dai Quan paused and replied, “There are many who have this ability, and there are even more who have grievances with Prince Zhongshun.” “Just check it slowly.”

Emperor Yongchang closed the document and asked again, “Could it be Li Hu?”

Dai Quan was silent again, and replied: “If Li Hu takes action, he will directly solve the root of the problem. He has the courage to do so.”

Emperor Yongchang nodded: “What is Li Hu busy with?”

Dai Quan: “In reply to your Majesty, the Xue family sent a group of newly-produced short plays to the Duke of Loyalty and Bravery’s residence to celebrate. Li Hu is watching the play with Censor Lin and the daughter of Governor Lin.”

With a snort, Emperor Yongchang said, “You spend your days in love with your children, and have no ambition.”

Dai Quan smiled: “The two girls from the Xue family and the daughter of the Shi family are also here.”

Emperor Yongchang was delighted: “You live a more comfortable life than I do.”

Dai Quan smiled.

On the other side, Li Hu, who was watching the show, sneezed several times in a row, frowned, and said, “Which bastard is saying bad things about me behind my back?”

Shi Xiangyun’s voice came from the other side of the fire: “Shall we write a couplet?”

Xue Baoqin had a generous and outgoing personality, and having been exposed to the ways of business since childhood, she quickly established a good relationship with Shi Xiangyun. When she heard Shi Xiangyun’s proposal, she immediately clapped her hands in agreement with joy.

Xue Baochai also smiled and nodded.

Lin Daiyu thought for a moment, then said with a smile, “Well, let them rest for a while and eat something.” Then she ordered the maid to bring some soup, snacks, fruits and vegetables to the little actors.

Shi Xiangyun was even happier: “I’ll limit the title, rhyme and format of the poem. Hmm, a poem of impromptu couplets, a five-character regulated verse, and two Xiao rhymes. How do you think?”

Lin Daiyu and the other two nodded.

Shi Xiangyun: “Let’s draw lots to decide the order. Whoever gets the first one gets to make the first connection.”

Impromptu couplets? Hey, I’m familiar with this!
Thinking of this, Li Hu stood up and said with a smile: “How about I give you a start?”

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone’s eyes turned to Li Hu.

Li Hu smiled and said, “I heard the north wind blowing all night last night, and I came up with a line: The north wind was blowing hard all night. How do you think it is?”

After hearing this, everyone looked at each other and smiled.

Shi Xiangyun was about to speak when Xue Baoqin quickly stopped her and she looked at Lin Daiyu.

Shi Xiangyun was not stupid either. She reacted immediately and smiled embarrassedly.

Li Hu also looked at Lin Daiyu, waiting for her praise and support.

Lin Daiyu smiled with her hands covering her mouth, and deliberately thought for a long time before she said, “Although this sentence is crude, it is not visible below. This is exactly the way to start a poem.” As she spoke, she glanced at Li Hu.

Li Hu smiled, picked up the wine glass and drank it in one gulp.

Xue Baochai replied: “This is not only good, but it also leaves a lot of room for our descendants.”

Shi Xiangyun couldn’t help herself: “Okay! Let’s start with this sentence. Hey, Brother-in-law Lin, let’s write down the couplets for us.”

Li Hu paused as he picked up the wine pot. Write it down for them? Forget it! I am not like them. They are well-read, but they still can’t write many words. I can’t embarrass Lin Daiyu in front of outsiders!

Thinking of this, Li Hu looked at Lin Daiyu and gave her a wink.

Lin Daiyu rolled her eyes, picked up a piece of apple and put it in her mouth without saying anything.

Xue Baochai and Xue Baoqin looked at each other and pretended not to see anything.

Shi Xiangyun, however, was the one who spoke out what was in her mind, and asked hurriedly, “Brother-in-law Lin, why are you winking at Sister Lin?”

Even though Li Hu was thick-skinned, he couldn’t help but blush. Just as he was about to find an excuse, Nanny Wang came in with an envelope and said softly, “Second Master, a letter from Captain Kong.”

Li Hu took the letter, tore it open and read it, then laughed. The people from the second branch of the Kong family will come to Beijing tomorrow, and the real fun is about to begin.

He understood the emperor’s thoughts better than anyone else. This was a great achievement and he must have a share of it!

Thinking about this, Li Hu folded the letter and said to Lin Daiyu, “I have to go out for something. I guess I won’t be back until very late.”

Lin Daiyu hummed and looked at him.

Li Hu then said to Xue Baochai, Xue Baoqin and Shi Xiangyun, “I’ll have my personal soldiers escort you. Have dinner before you leave.”

The three nodded.

Li Hu picked up the wine glass: “Please.”

Lin Daiyu, Xue Baochai, Xue Baoqin and Shi Xiangyun also picked up their wine glasses and drank together.

(End of this chapter)