Chapter 123: Taking Action

Chapter 123: Taking Action

"Enough, stop crying, it's late at night!"

Lin Huabin's head ached.

Tomorrow he had to attend a banquet at Prince Huan's residence and mingle with many people; he just wanted a good night's rest.

Zheng, inconsolable and tearful, cried, "You have never truly cared for me and Jiao in your heart!"

"You talk of unity in marriage, that we keep no secrets from each other, yet you've hidden so much property behind my back!"

"Today it's for your eldest daughter, and who knows, tomorrow you might be off chasing other pleasures."

Zheng grew more heartbroken as she spoke, "No... perhaps you've already been unfaithful."

"I was blind! To think I pined for you, nearly to death, all those years!"

"You've forgotten the vows you made to me!"

Lin Huabin, in utter helplessness, could only say with a bitter face, "Those aren't my private assets."

"Don't lie to me! All those things, did they just appear out of thin air?"

Lin Huabin explained, "...That's part of Yunwan's mother's dowry."

He glanced at Zheng and said, "I kept a portion aside, and now that Yunwan is back, it's only right to give it to her. Otherwise, she'd have nothing, and people would talk."

"Don't forget, our residence is closely watched by my elder and younger brothers' families. Many eyes are on us."

It was that wretched girl's mother's dowry?

Zheng stopped crying.

Wiping her tears, she asked, "Didn't you say her entire dowry was gone... How could you secretly keep a part of it?"

Lin Huabin gave her a cool glance and questioned, "What do you think?"

Zheng felt a twinge of guilt.

In a low voice, she said, "But you shouldn't have kept it from me!"

Lin Huabin let out a cold snort.

Just as Zheng had calmed down, she frowned again, "No, that's not right. Don’t fool me! My people checked, and those aren't old items from fifteen years ago! The fabrics are all fashionable, how could they possibly be..."

Lin Huabin interrupted her, "Some items were too old to use, so I had them exchanged for new ones without spending an extra penny. It saves us both from gossip and trouble. How is that not a good thing?"

It seemed to make sense.

Zheng harbored some unspoken suspicions but couldn't pinpoint what felt off.

Seizing the moment, Lin Huabin sat beside her and consoled, "You and Yunjiao have always been my priority. You know what I've done for you both over the years."

"Even the old lady has distanced herself from me because of it. What more do you expect from me?"

At this, Zheng felt a pang of guilt.

Softly, she said, "I was just afraid that we weren't in your heart..."

"How could that be!"

Lin Huabin recalled his childhood, "I was the second child in my family, my elder brother was the legitimate first son, and my youngest brother was the most cherished. I was always stuck in the middle, neither here nor there... only you never despised me and cared for me."

There were three legitimate sons in the family, and he was the least favored.

But Madam Zheng devoted her heart and soul to him, a happiness that not even a birth mother could provide!

Madam Zheng's heart was as sweet as candy as she gently said, "My lord, as long as you understand my feelings, that's enough."

Lin Huabin smiled.

A beautiful wife and a darling daughter, he was quite content.

Madam Zheng sighed, "But I worry that Jiao'er will be heartbroken..."

Lin Huabin said, "Jiao'er can be too spoiled sometimes, you need to teach her properly."

Madam Zheng spoke with affection, "How much longer can Jiao'er stay at home! If you don't cherish her, who will?"

Lin Huabin was actually willing to keep his daughter with him for life, but that wouldn't be proper!

He hesitated for a while, then compromised.

Madam Zheng suggested, "My lord, perhaps..."

"Hmm?"

Lin Huabin raised an eyebrow.

What now?

Zheng suggested, "Why don't we give Jiao all of Yunwan's things? That way, she won't be hurt or angry. I can arrange other things for Yunwan..."

It was always important that Yunwan's belongings weren't better than what her own daughter had!

"No way!"

Lin Huabin pushed Zheng away, stood with his hands behind his back, and said sternly, "Don't even think about taking Yunwan's things!"

Those were gifts from Zhao Jingyi. If they appeared on his own daughter and Zhao Jingyi saw them...

They would face serious consequences!

Zheng's heart sank.

So much for saying she and her daughter were his priority, yet he couldn't bear to see Yunwan slighted!

"My lord, you'll have to explain it to Jiao tomorrow yourself! I just can't bear to tell her—you’re so biased towards Yunwan!"

With a turn of her head, she too lost her temper!

"You!"

Lin Huabin left in a huff, "Such unreasonable tantrums!"

He had social engagements tomorrow and couldn't afford to waste energy arguing with Zheng!

"My lord..."

Zheng thought Lin Huabin wouldn’t leave and waited, but when she couldn't resist following him out, he had indeed gone!

She turned back into the room, covered her face, and wept.

Housekeeper Fan came in to persuade, "Madam, you need to accompany the second miss to King Huan's mansion tomorrow, please stop crying."

Madam Zheng wiped her tears and went to bed first.

"Lack of patience can ruin great plans."

She reminded herself not to lose sight of the bigger picture over trivial matters.

The next day.

Lin Yunwan got up and dressed, planning to visit Madam Zheng with her maids to pay respects.

Housekeeper Fan had already come over earlier, saying, "Miss, you don't need to go. Just wait at the secondary gate. Madam will come to you shortly."

No need to pay respects?

Lin Yunwan found it odd; why would Madam Zheng pass up the opportunity to torment her?

Housekeeper Fan left in a flurry, unwilling to say more.

Even Xiruo felt something was amiss, commenting, "Why is Housekeeper Fan acting as if she's seen a ghost? What is she afraid of?"

Lin Yunwan, after a moment's thought, said with a smile, "Probably afraid of Yunjiao seeing me."

It seems Lin Huabin can't fully control Madam Zheng!

Hearing this, Xiruo glanced at Lin Yunwan's attire – a short jacket of Xiangfei color kesi silk and a coordinated skirt, her long hair neatly bundled at the back of her head, adorned with a jade hairpin, and a pair of small pearls dangling from her fair earlobes. Simple yet luxurious, bright and charming.

She stood out wherever she went.

"If Miss Yunjiao sees you, she'll be fuming with jealousy."

Xiruo stood beside Lin Yunwan and said, "I will protect you."

To prevent Lin Yunjiao from doing anything excessive.

Lin Yunwan thought for a moment and said to Xiruo, "If the master can't control his wife and second daughter, don't hesitate to take action when necessary."

Receiving her instructions, Xiruo smiled and said, "Yes!"