Chapter 156: Boldness

Chapter 156: Boldness

"Of course, the one I am to marry."

Lin Yunwan resolved to choose a suitable husband for herself.

She had to marry eventually. Rather than waiting for Lin Huabin and Madam Zheng, that pair of wolfish spouses, to choose for her, it was better to make her own choice.

Xi Ruo was somewhat surprised.

Of course, she had also thought that once Miss reached Jiang Qian, she would need to marry.

But still...

"What kind of suitor does the Miss wish to marry?"

Xi Ruo asked softly, fearing that Mother Zhao and the others outside might hear.

Lin Yunwan gazed at the eternal lamp, lost in thought. This was her second chance at life, a gift from Miss Lin.

"Xi Ruo, you probably know all about my situation."

"The man I marry must be cunning and responsible."

Yet, where do ordinary men possess such cunning and responsibility?

Lin Yunwan sighed, "His background can't be too humble either."

All in all, not an easy person to find.

Xi Ruo paused, then asked doubtfully, "Wouldn't the prince be exactly what Miss desires?"

Lin Yunwan was taken aback, then chuckled, "The prince... he won't do."

Xi Ruo didn’t understand, "Why not the prince?"

She thought the prince took great care of the Miss!

As Lin Yunwan turned to leave, she whispered, "With the prince covering for me, it won’t matter whom I marry. His family will have no issues even if they find out."

Xi Ruo understood this.

If the prince ascends the throne, becoming the next emperor, who would dare to bring up something the emperor has interfered in!

Lin Yunwan continued, "If I marry into the royal family, I would have trouble with the emperor and the empress."

Xi Ruo lowered her head.

"In the royal family, reputation is paramount. Even if the wife of Prince Huan is a bit willful, it's tolerable. But a woman who has remarried and faked her death to escape to Jiang Qian, if the emperor and empress find out, they will unleash their thunderous wrath!"

"Xi Ruo, you come from the royal court; you understand the principle of loyalty to the ruler before filial duty to the father better than I do."

Lin Yunwan pursed her lips, finally adding, "The prince has shown me kindness, and I have yet to repay it. I certainly can't harm him."

Xi Ruo remained silent, head bowed.

When Mother Zhao saw them come out, she instructed someone to lead the way, reminding Lin Yunwan, "Miss, put on your veil quickly. It wouldn't be good if people see you."

Lin Yunwan donned her veil and left Cien Temple with the maidservants of Lin Mansion.

Walking along the cloister, they saw other pilgrims coming to offer incense, overhearing someone recount the history of Cien Temple: "When the Great Ancestor was conquering the land, his first stronghold was in Jiang Qian. Later, he built Cien Temple here. It has been renovated over a dozen times, and it's quite different from the original."

The speaker was knowledgeable, clearly a learned person.

"Brother Xia, why have you stopped again?"

Xia Jin stood still, observing the group of maidservants surrounding a young lady... Was that the legitimate daughter of the Lin family?

Her figure was strikingly similar!

Mother Zhao stepped forward, giving a stern look to the group of scholars and rebuked Xia Jin, "How rude!"

Xia Jin stepped back, bowing his head in a salute, daring not to look any longer.

Mother Zhao, leading the group, hurriedly escorted Lin Yunwan and Xi Ruo away.

It was only upon boarding the carriage that Lin Yunwan removed her veil, her expression somewhat grave.

"How could it be him..."

What a coincidence!

Xi Ruo asked, "Miss, do you recognize that man we just saw?"

Lin Yunwan nodded, "It was Xia Jin, the youngest master of the Xia family. Jiang Qian boasts the renowned Qing'ou Academy. The Lin clan contributes a significant amount of silver yearly for its upkeep. Scholars from both Xi Lin and Dong Lin mansions teach there, especially skilled in instructing students in the eight-legged essay."

"Next August is the provincial examination for the imperial civil service exam, and Xia Jin is likely here to study at Qing'ou Academy."

"It's so unexpected, to encounter an acquaintance in a place as distant as Jiang Qian..."

Xi Ruo, unfamiliar with Xia Jin, asked worriedly, "Should we inform the prince, Miss?"

Lin Yunwan shook her head.

She had some understanding of the Xia family.

"He won't speak carelessly about it outside."

"Even if he does, there's no evidence. He studies abroad, I reside in the inner court; we have no connection. It's not a problem."

Xi Ruo still frowned, concerned.

Lin Yunwan added, "Eventually, I have to return to the capital. Someone will question me. Whether it's in Jiang Qian or the capital, it all depends on how I handle it."

That's true.

Xi Ruo was not in a hurry for the moment, but she had made up her mind to inform the prince.

She was assigned by the prince to protect the Miss. Any slight danger to the Miss, she was determined to avert.

They returned to Bi Xi Tang.

Xi Ruo asked Lin Yunwan, "Miss, what shall we do now?"

"Wait."

Lin Yunwan said calmly, "Didn't Shuangshuang say she would come to see me?"

She smiled faintly, inscrutable, "The madam must be getting anxious by now."

Xi Ruo quickly understood why Madam Zheng was anxious.

Probably planning to marry the Miss off as soon as possible.

But Madam Zheng has no say in the Miss's marriage; her plans are futile!

In the evening, Lin Yunwan practiced calligraphy in her room. Fan Momo had taught her and Lin Yunjiao to write, but only simple characters without much emphasis on style. Fearing recognition, Lin Yunwan usually wrote in wild cursive when alone.

As Xi Ruo ground the ink, she asked, not recognizing the wild cursive, "Miss, what are you drawing?"

Lin Yunwan replied, "This is from 'Zhushangzuo Tie'."

It wasn't drawing.

Xi Ruo looked closely for a long while, then gazing into Lin Yunwan's eyes, said, "To me, it looks like a Taoist priest drawing talismans."

Lin Yunwan smiled and finally wrote a letter, sealing it with wax. She told Xi Ruo, "It’s been a while since I’ve had any dealings with the prince. Tomorrow, go and report to him that we are safe."

Xi Ruo's eyes lit up.

She had been wanting to visit for some time!

Lin Yunwan instructed her, "Just say that you and I are safe, nothing else."

Hesitating for a moment, Xi Ruo asked, "Miss, don’t you want the prince to intervene and help with Lady Dong’s matter?"

She candidly expressed her thoughts, "You have ways to handle affairs within the inner court, but Lady Dong’s husband’s issue is beyond that. Since you want to help her, why not ask the prince for assistance?"

"Miss, forgive my frankness, but for the prince, these matters are but a flick of his finger."

Lin Yunwan fell silent for a while, then softly said, "Xi Ruo, I can’t always ask the prince for help."

Xi Ruo, puzzled, said, "But the prince is willing to help you."

"Xi Ruo, there are distinctions between men and women."

The prince sent her to Jiang Qian, settled her, and helped her with Ling Xiang's issue. He has already done so much... These can be said to be because of her father’s sake.

To trouble the prince further, what would that look like?

She couldn't feign ignorance knowingly.

Lin Yunwan said no more.

Xi Ruo also sensed Lin Yunwan's displeasure and refrained from saying more.

In front of Qi Lingheng, she reported their safety, hesitating as before, unusually silent.

Afu even teased her, "Xi Ruo, following the Miss has made you more composed."

Xi Ruo has always been level-headed, but she's direct and speaks her mind.

Now, keeping silent about matters instead of discussing them with the prince, Afu calling her "composed" was clearly in jest.

Xi Ruo lowered her head, "The Miss instructed me not to speak of it."

Having served Lin Yunwan for so long, she had come to understand her mistress's character well. The Miss had her principles and wouldn't touch matters she deemed inappropriate.

"I am the Miss's maid, and naturally, I must follow her orders."

Afu laughed heartily, pointing at Xi Ruo, "You, girl!"

Qi Lingheng commented with a smile, "Sending you to her was indeed the right choice."

Xi Ruo, disregarding their comments, having reported safety, said, "It's not easy for me to leave the house, so if the prince has no further instructions, I shall return."

Qi Lingheng put down his teacup, looking at Xi Ruo.

His expression was calm, revealing no thoughts.

Afu, however, was sure, stepping forward to Xi Ruo, "The prince sent you to look after the Miss. If you don’t share about her with the prince, how will he know if you're taking good care of her?"

Qi Lingheng's eyes brightened slightly.

Xi Ruo glanced at Afu and then boldly said to Qi Lingheng, "Please forgive my presumption, Your Highness—"

She had something to say!

Qi Lingheng said indifferently, "Speak."

Xi Ruo said, "I may not be in a position to comment, but having served the Miss for so long, I must say she is from a noble family, well-bred, grateful, and always reluctant to cause trouble for others."

"If His Highness wishes to know whether the lady is well, asking me, a mere servant, is futile."

Afu was dumbfounded.

"Xi Ruo... you, you dare to be so bold!"

"You've only been with the lady for a short while, yet you dare speak to His Highness in such a manner!"

Qi Lingheng glanced at Afu and commanded, "Leave us."

"...Yes."

Afu felt extremely anxious and listened intently.

Qi Lingheng said calmly, "Xi Ruo, your mistress is not a naive and ignorant girl. She is a woman of great resolve."

"I, the Prince..."

Qi Lingheng spoke indifferently, "Even I, the Prince..."

Cannot act rashly in her presence.

Xi Ruo hesitated for a moment before speaking, "Your Highness, knowing that the lady is a woman of great resolve is sufficient."

"I shall take my leave."

And with that, she left.

Afu's eyes widened in wonder, pondering the abilities of the lady that garnered such loyalty from Xi Ruo.

He then glanced at Qi Lingheng's expression... This did not bode well!