Chapter 97: A Heartfelt Worry

Chapter 97: A Heartfelt Worry

"Keep this medicine safe for now."

Lin Yunwan handed the pouch to Peach Leaf and instructed, "Prepare a carriage in the front yard; I need to return to the Lin residence."

She couldn't be certain yet if the medicine was poisoned; it would require a doctor's examination to confirm.

But if it were ordinary poison, she wouldn’t have been poisoned to death in her past life. It's likely that a regular doctor wouldn't detect it.

Even if it were discovered, the matter should not be publicized for the time being.

Just as Peach Leaf took the medicine, a maid entered and stood outside the small hall, lifting the curtain to relay a message: "Madam, a messenger from the secondary gate reports that Young Master Yi has arrived."

Her brother is here!

Lin Yunwan quickly got off the couch and glanced at Peach Leaf, signaling that the medicine in the pouch need not be put away.

Holding a handkerchief, she said, "Go bring Yun Yi here."

Just after Taoye left, Lin Yunwan sat back down, feeling somewhat uneasy.

It was just the beginning of the twelfth lunar month, her brother hadn't started his holiday yet, so why would he come to the Lu household?

Was there an issue in the Lin family, or was it something to do with her mother’s health?

Pingye stepped out to say, “Grandmother, I’ll go brew the tea that the young master likes.”

“Hmm.”

Lin Yunwan rubbed her temples, feeling her mind in disarray. One thing after another disrupted her thoughts.

Before long, she heard her brother’s eager call, “Eldest sister!”

As soon as his voice faded, Lin Yunyi lifted the curtain and entered, his shoulders covered in snow.

“Yunyi.”

Lin Yunwan stood up, brushing the snow off him, “Why didn’t you use an umbrella?”

Of course, he was too eager to see her!

Lin Yunwan quickly ushered him inside to sit, noticing he was still wearing the gloves she had sent him last time, made of the same fabric as Changgong’s, but his had a pattern of pine and cypress, while Changgong’s featured bamboo.

Lin Yunyi smiled, showing his white teeth, “It’s just a bit of snow, no need for an umbrella.”

After sitting down, he took off the gloves.

He was not a delicate person, and didn't seek warmth by the fire. His hands were red with cold, but he ignored it, smiling as he said to Lin Yunwan, "Mother's eyes are improving, she can now see vague shapes."

"Really?!"

Lin Yunwan was immensely surprised; the progress from seeing light to discerning objects was a huge leap!

Lin Yun Yi nodded, "I don't know if Doctor Li changed the prescription, but the medicine mother is taking now is different. I can't recognize the herbs, but the smell is different."

Lin Yunwan felt joy in her heart and asked, "Does mother... still cry?"

Lin Yun Yi pursed his lips and remained silent.

If it weren't for mother crying over sister's affairs, she might have recovered faster.

"Young Master Yi, please have some tea."

Ping Ye served the tea, and Lin Yun Yi accepted it, expressing his thanks.

Respecting his sister's maids as always, he spoke of his purpose, "Elder sister... the clan sent me here."

Saying this, he bowed his head, losing interest in the tea.

Lin Yunwan, in silence, already guessed what the clan members would have said.

She spoke softly, "I understand, they have done their best."

The Lu family wouldn't release her; it's impossible to compromise the marital prospects of all the girls in the clan for her sake.

Lin Yun Yi clenched his fists, muttering a curse under his breath against the Lu family.

This was the first time he had ever sworn in his life!

Lin Yunwan heard it clearly and patted her brother's hand, advising, "You're still young, listen to our uncles at home for now."

Lin Yun Yi's eyes reddened as he looked at Lin Yunwan, gripping her hand tightly, saying, "But they told you to wait. How long do they expect you to wait?"

They even asked him to come and inform her, but he didn't know what kind of message this was!

If it weren't for the chance to see his sister, he wouldn't have come to visit her like this.

"Elder sister, wait for me to grow up—"

Lin Yun Yi said this through gritted teeth.

Lin Yunwan gave a faint smile, saying "Okay."

In her heart, she knew she might not be able to wait that long.

"Yun Yi, I need your help with something. Don’t mention it to mother."

"What is it?"

Lin Yun Yi was very curious.

Peach Leaf tensed, wondering if the madam was going to entrust the medicine to Young Master Yi. Wasn't that too risky? He was still too young to handle affairs of the inner house...

Yet Lin Yunwan leaned close to Lin Yun Yi's ear and whispered something to him.

Lin Yun Yi's eyes widened in surprise, saying, "...Okay."

He furrowed his brows, hesitating to speak. As he was leaving, he said, "Elder sister, then I'll wait for you to return and see mother."

Lin Yunwan nodded.

Lin Yun Yi left, heavy with thoughts, to head back home.

"I'll see you out."

Lin Yunwan stood up, motioning Peach Leaf and Ping Ye to follow with an umbrella in hand.

The snow had stopped outside. The siblings stepped on the soft snow, only to be stopped by Madam Yan, who politely said, "Madam, Young Master Yi. Since the young master is here, why not pay respects to the old lady?"

Lin Yun Yi's expression was distinctly cold.

Pay respects?

After all the discord between the families, they still expected him to pay respects? He was curious to see what the old woman of the Lu family was up to.

"Please lead the way."

Madam Yan smiled and stepped aside, leading the way, "This way, Young Master Yi."

Lin Yunwan followed.

Upon seeing Lin Yun Yi, the old Lady Lu made some small talk and amiably said, "We're all family. Let bygones be bygones, no need to hold grudges."

Lin Yun Yi, not buying her demeanor, retorted, "Who dares to be family with your Lu clan!"

Lady Lu's face showed embarrassment, but she maintained her composure, "You're just a child, and as your elder, I won't hold it against you."

The old lady was incredibly hypocritical!

Lin Yun Yi couldn't sit there any longer.

"I take my leave."

Lady Lu did not insist on him staying.

As the siblings left, she reassured Madam Yan, "If the Lin clan really dared to disgrace both houses by making a fuss, they wouldn't just send a child."

Madam Yan breathed a sigh of relief, "Does that mean there will be no issues between our families?"

Lady Lu's gaze turned cold, "The Lin clan are just Yunwan's relatives. After all, she's just a married daughter. Even if she passes away, the Lin clan wouldn't trouble the Lu family. Her brother, however— he's a real concern."

Remembering the day of the peace talks between the two families, Madam Yan was still haunted by Lin Yun Yi's sharp words.

If Lin Yunwan were to die young, would he let the Lu family off the hook?

"Old Madam, you mean..."

Old Lady Lu said leisurely, "To eliminate the weed, you must remove its roots. Neither the sister nor the brother can be spared."

Madam Yan, terrified, said, "But Young Master Yi isn't part of the Lu family, and he’s one of the most distinguished young masters in the Lin clan. You can’t possibly...” also poison him in the Lu family!

The death of a married daughter is insignificant, but losing a promising young scholar from the Lin clan is serious business!

Lady Lu glanced at Madam Yan, asking, "Have you gone senile?"

"If everyone is poisoned, the Prefect of Shuntian won't be a fool to ignore it!"

Her eyes filled with malice, she added, "There are more ways to die than just one."

And there's more than one way to die without being held accountable.