Chapter 160: Chaos Abounds

Chapter 160: Chaos Abounds

"Madam cares deeply for the young lady. This is a dress specially ordered by Madam for the young lady."

Mother Fan, fearing Lin Yunwan might overthink, added, "For the summer wardrobe in the mansion, we haven't forgotten the young lady's share. This is from Madam's own pocket."

Xi Ruo didn't look pleased.

'After usurping Miss Lin's mother's dowry, they send over a few dresses and expect gratitude?'

Believing she was winning hearts, Mother Fan smiled and said, "For tomorrow’s banquet to welcome relatives, the young lady must wear the dress given by Madam."

Lin Yunwan, indifferent about the dresses, asked lightly, "There will be men at the banquet. Is it appropriate for Madam to ask me to attend?"

Of course, it's not appropriate!

But since Madam wants to introduce you to a potential husband, it becomes appropriate.

Mother Fan, still smiling, said, "Why be so formal, young lady? They are all relatives from our own family, there's no need for such formalities."

She came closer to explain, "They are all from your maternal uncle’s family, so they are not considered outsiders."

Xi Ruo spoke sharply, "Speak properly! Are they the young lady's maternal uncles and aunts?"

She reminded Mother Fan, "The young lady's birth mother was also a legally wedded wife!"

"She's not a daughter born to a concubine, she can only recognize her stepmother's brothers as uncles. Miss Lin has her own uncles!"

Madam Fan took a step back.

This maid was too fierce! Had it not been for the master's indulgence, she would have been punished long ago!

She forced a smile, "…Miss, all the guests are our relatives. The master has also agreed."

Lin Yunwan nodded and asked Madam Fan, "Is the second young miss treated the same as me?"

"What?"

Madam Fan was confused.

Lin Yunwan clarified, "Is the second young miss also wearing new clothes to meet the relatives like me?"

How could it be the same!

The second young miss is the apple of her mother's eye, there's no need for her to meet such relatives.

Realizing her mistake, Madam Fan quickly concocted a reason, saying nervously, "The second young miss is ill, as you well know. She's still refusing to leave her room!"

She sighed, "So the lady had no choice but to ask you to accompany the elders."

"I understand."

Lin Yunwan dismissed Madam Fan.

Xi Ruo, seeing her leave, asked, "Miss, will you go?"

Lin Yunwan smiled, "Is there even a need to ask? Let's go and see the second young mistress."

"I heard she often refuses to eat out of boredom. I'll find something for her to do."

Taking Xi Ruo, she went to see Lin Yunjiao.

Lin Yunjiao had locked herself in the courtyard, initially unwilling to meet anyone, especially not Lin Yunwan.

Before Lin Yunwan could enter, she heard shouting from inside, "Tell her to get lost! If she dares to come here, I’ll kill her with a sword!"

Xi Ruo feared Lin Yunjiao might harm Lin Yunwan in a fit of rage, throwing things around.

She moved to the front.

Lin Yunwan pulled Xi Ruo aside and spoke to Lin Yunjiao inside, "Family relatives are visiting. Don't you want to know why Madam doesn’t care about your life and death, yet invites relatives over as guests?"

Suddenly, there was silence from inside.

Lin Yunjiao opened the door; she was indeed thin, not pretending to fast, but genuinely not wanting to eat.

Glaring fiercely at Lin Yunwan, she demanded, "Speak quickly if you have something to say!"

Lin Yunwan looked around and asked with a faint smile, "Do you want me to speak here?"

"Aren’t you worried your maids will overhear..."

Lin Yunjiao grudgingly said, "Then come in already!" She reluctantly made room for Lin Yunwan.

Lin Yunwan entered Lin Yunjiao's room, and after speaking with her about something unknown, she returned to Bixi Hall with Xi Ruo.

Lin Yunjiao didn't speak to anyone the entire night.

The next day, there was a banquet at the house, and even Mother Fan did not come to give Lin Yunwan her lessons.

Lin Yunwan changed into a new outfit early in the morning. Though not one of the dresses sent by Mrs. Zheng, it was still very presentable.

Mrs. Zheng was pleased when she heard about this from Mother Fan.

The only thing she disapproved of was Lin Yunwan's intention to pay respects to Old Madam Lin.

She told Mother Fan, "The Old Madam dislikes being disturbed. Tell her to visit less frequently in the future."

Mother Fan was in a dilemma, "Madam, how can I convey this? If the master hears about it, it would be terrible, and if the news spreads to the eastern and western mansions..."

It could lead to a serious issue.

The Old Madam's desire for peace and the Madam's instruction to limit the grandchildren's visits were not the same. Accusations of disrespect could have severe consequences.

Mrs. Zheng, irritated, snapped, "I was just speaking casually, why are you talking back!"

Mother Fan dared not retort.

She thought to herself, 'If I don't speak up, Madam might really make me convey the message.'

Mrs. Zheng picked up her tea cup and then slammed it down on the table in annoyance. The bracelet on her wrist clinked loudly, and upon inspection, she saw it had cracked! This was an ill omen.

She felt increasingly uncomfortable.

Ever since this stepdaughter returned home, why has everything been going wrong for her!

"How is the banquet arrangement coming along?"

Mother Fan breathed a sigh of relief, finally onto the main topic.

She smiled, "Everything is arranged properly. Madam can see for herself if she visits."

Mrs. Zheng didn’t want to go; it was getting hot, and she needed to change her bracelet... Getting her stepdaughter married off would be ideal. She couldn’t lose face in front of her elder sister-in-law. She wouldn’t wear the cracked bracelet again, her head ornaments needed to match the new set, and her hairstyle needed redoing.

"You go ahead; I'll join after changing my bracelet and head ornaments. Please invite my family over as well. Send someone to hurry the young mistress."

"Yes."

Mother Fan was eager to leave, quickly taking others with her upon receiving the instructions.

When the time for the luncheon arrived, Mrs. Zheng promptly went to the Yuanyang Hall in the backyard, but the guests were nowhere to be seen.

A maid rushed in, panic-stricken, "Madam, Madam! There’s trouble!"

Mrs. Zheng frowned, "What kind of trouble could there be at home?"

She demanded of the maid, "Stand up and speak properly! Where did Mother Fan take the guests?"

The maid swallowed hard before saying, "Mother Fan is trying to break up a fight. The second young mistress is fighting with her maternal aunt and others!"

"What are you talking about!"

Mrs. Zheng was stunned for a moment before realizing her daughter and her maternal family were fighting. How could that be possible?

She hurriedly stood up, grabbing the maid, "What exactly happened?"

The maid shook her head, nearly in tears, "I don’t know. Mother Fan was bringing the maternal aunt and young master, and the second young mistress came running from somewhere with scissors, trying to cut something..."

Mrs. Zheng, legs trembling with urgency, pushed past the maid and rushed to the scene.

Upon arriving, Mrs. Zheng saw Mother Fan and the maids struggling to restrain Lin Yunjiao, who was wielding scissors. Her hair was disheveled, hairpins scattered on the ground, as she shouted, "What right do you have to wear my clothes? Take them off!"

"Sleeping in my bed! How dare you sleep in my bed!"

"Let me go! Let me go! Who dares to stop me!"

Mrs. Zheng felt dizzy upon hearing this, leaning on a maid, muttering, "...She's gone mad!"

What on earth is this girl talking about!

She had only given some fabric and old clothes to the scholar's mother, fearing she might look too shabby and displease her stepdaughter. The bed in the guest room was just spare furniture from the storeroom, used by many before!

Mrs. Zheng's voice trembled, "Quick, pull the second young mistress away!"

In her panic, she didn’t forget to ask, "Where is the eldest young mistress? Where is she?"

The banquet was organized for the stepdaughter to meet the Zheng family's scholar relative. Why was she absent?

Lin Yunwan and Old Madam Lin were at the Ci'en Temple.

The Old Madam took her for a walk in the bamboo grove, reminiscing, "When I was young, I loved going out to offer prayers. Strict parents only allowed me out during festivals for prayers."

Lin Yunwan listened quietly.

Old Madam Lin, holding Lin Yunwan’s hand and smiling faintly, praised her, "Mother Fan said you are excellent in painting and quick in needlework. I never knew our mansion had such a clever girl."

Lin Yunwan didn’t feel pleased upon hearing this, feeling a slight heaviness in her heart. Was the Old Madam's comment casual, or was there a deeper meaning?

"It's cooler over there, let's sit."

Old Madam Lin led Lin Yunwan to a shady spot. Lin Yunwan, with a gentle and calm demeanor, said, "Please walk slowly." She thought to herself, 'The Lin family's second branch must be in chaos right now.'