“Chapter 194: Given Away”

"Chapter 194: Given Away"

"'Mother, what is this?'"

"Lin Huabin couldn’t tell what it was at first glance."

"Lady Lin, irritated, said, 'Take a closer look. You’ve studied for over ten years; surely you recognize this.'"

"Lin Huabin scrutinized it again."

"He wondered, 'Isn’t this Huang Tingjian’s 'Zhushangzuo Tie'? Who wrote this, and why is it burned like this?'"

"This was a masterpiece of wild cursive script."

"He had tried to imitate it in his youth but never achieved the brilliance evident even on this burned piece of paper."

"'Don’t you know? This was written by your daughter Yunwan.'"

"Lady Lin looked coldly at her second son."

"Lin Huabin was stunned, speechless for a moment."

"Lady Lin understood everything now."

"'Speak up, what exactly have you been hiding from me? If Yunwan can produce such wild cursive script, why would she need lessons from Nanny Fan?'"

"'She could even teach Nanny Fan!'"

"'Don’t tell me you know nothing about this.'"

"Lin Huabin, staring at the paper, asked Lady Lin in disbelief, 'Mother, did Yunwan really write this?'"

"Nanny Fan confirmed, 'Yes, she did.'"

"Lin Huabin was dumbfounded."

"He had severely underestimated Zhao Jingyi’s illegitimate daughter!"

"What kind of tutor did she have to produce such a student!"

"'I... This...'"

"Lin Huabin was still stammering."

"He had promised Zhao Jingyi to keep it a secret from everyone."

"Lin Huabin lowered his head, 'Mother, I... I didn’t mean to hide it from you. I was just worried Yunwan returning to the mansion too prominently, so I told her not to stand out too much...'"

"'You’re still lying to me!'"

"Lady Lin said, 'I’m not asking why Yunwan is downplaying her talents. I’m asking you – what exactly are you hiding from me?'"

"Lin Huabin remained silent."

Elder Madam Lin slowly said, "You needn't say it. But our Lin family cannot possibly let such a girl marry into the Wang family."

Who knows what Yunwan has been through?

One misstep could jeopardize the entire Lin family.

Lin Huabin was frightened and furrowed his brows, "Mother, Nanny Wang came today. You didn't say anything, but I can tell, you seemed to think Nanny Wang was very pleased with Yunwan."

"Now you say you won't let Yunwan marry..."

"It's not up to you to decide anymore."

Elder Madam Lin said indifferently, "Is that so? Would the Wang family want a dead person who died suddenly?"

Lin Huabin's face turned pale with fright.

He lowered his head and said, "Mother. Yunwan is... the daughter of Zhao Jingyi. He couldn't take her back to his residence to raise, so he asked me to take her in."

"What?"

Elder Madam Lin's eyes widened in shock. She had considered many possibilities, like her granddaughter encountering a reclusive expert from a young age and learning extraordinary skills, or her second son secretly doing something to his daughter, fearing Zheng Shi's discovery, and thus keeping it a secret.

Fan Nanny was also startled, forcing a smile as she asked, "Second Master, have you lost your mind? How could the young lady be Lord Zhao's daughter?"

"The young lady was born to the second madam; everyone knows that!"

Elder Madam Lin felt a chill in her heart.

After a pause, she asked softly, "What about Yunwan? Where is Yunwan?"

Where had her granddaughter, Lin Yunwan, gone?

"She's already dead."

Lin Huabin said in a low voice.

Elder Madam Lin and Fan Nanny remained silent for a long time.

"So you let 'Yunwan' come back to life?" Elder Madam Lin let out a sigh of frustration, "Where was the child buried?"

Lin Huabin replied, "Still on that mountain."

Elder Madam Lin said through clenched teeth, "You really dare!"

She raised her hand and slapped Lin Huabin.

After all, her son was already a grown man, so the elder lady didn't actually hit his face but struck his neck, grazing his chin.

Lin Huabin dared not look at his mother.

"Did you meet with Zhao Jingyi last night? What did he say about Yunwan's marriage?"

Lin Huabin replied, "...He was very pleased. He didn't say much."

The Old Madam Lin snorted.

"Both of them are fools!"

"Since her father has already decided, and you've done this much, might as well carry it through to the end."

Old Madam Lin said, "You may leave now."

Lin Huabin, eager to leave, bowed and excused himself.

Lin Yunwan lifted the curtain and came out, kneeling on the cushion: "Old Madam, I... have let you down."

Old Madam Lin's gaze towards her had changed.

She was gentler and more benevolent, helping Lin Yunwan to her feet, softly saying, "Good child, this is not your fault. It's my son who's disappointing and heartless."

Lin Yunwan bowed her head.

Her emotions were complex.

Old Madam Lin patted her hand, smiling, "Wang Momo must be very pleased with you. Rest assured and wait for your marriage."

She added, "Your presence in the Lin household is our blessing. Good child, we will not let you down."

Lin Yunwan nodded.

Old Madam Lin continued, "Good child, a young lady must maintain a good reputation. You are to be a princess consort, so continue to learn from Nanny Fan every day until your marriage, absorbing as much as you can."

This was not really about Lin Yunwan learning something but rather to maintain appearances for others to see. Once in the prince's residence, it would provide a basis for everything.

"Yes. I thank the Old Madam."

Old Madam Lin, feeling a bit tired, said, "You must be tired too, go back and rest."

"Alright."

Lin Yunwan took her leave and departed.

Old Madam Lin closed her eyes, massaging her brow.

Nanny Fan expressed concern, "Old Madam, what's wrong?"

"Miss Lin... she's had a hard life too. You should stop thinking about it."

"I'm not thinking about that."

Elder Madame Lin put down her hand, her gaze sharp: "Think carefully, does Zhao Jingyi seem like someone who would have an illegitimate daughter? Would the Zhao family's values allow him to do such a thing?"

Mamma Fan pondered: "Mr. Zhao has always only liked cockfighting and dog fighting. The Zhao family wouldn't tolerate such a scandal! Even if there was, Mrs. Zhao wouldn't have trouble accepting a girl who would be married off sooner or later. Why send her to our mansion?"

Elder Madame Lin smiled faintly: "I said it was unprovoked, why else would the prince save our Lin family's girl. My second son still doesn't know who he has offended, isn't it clear now."

"From beginning to end, this matter has nothing to do with Zhao Jingyi."

Mamma Fan exclaimed: "It's the prince!"

Elder Madame Lin calmly said: "Let's both pretend we don't know."

"The prince is practically gifting a princess to our Lin Mansion."

"By marrying off Yunwan generously, our Lin Mansion will become the Princess of Huan's maternal home. What's not to gain?"

She laughed softly, taking a sip of tea.

Mamma Fan asked: "Isn't the second master saying anything?"

Elder Madame Lin scoffed, her attitude clear.

"No need to tell a foolish son too much."

Old Madam Lin said to Nanny Fan, "I need to speak personally with my eldest son and his wife, and keep an eye on my second son, ensuring he harbors no ill intentions."

Nanny Fan smiled, "With the eldest master and mistress handling it, you needn't worry."

Old Madam Lin hummed in agreement, still feeling a tinge of regret for her own granddaughter.

"Arrange a ritual for that child, and later find a way to move her to the Lin family's ancestral tomb. A child of the Lin house should not be left as a wandering spirit."

"Amitabha Buddha."

Old Madam Lin closed her eyes, fingering her prayer beads.

At Prince Huan's residence.

After Wang Momo returned, both Qi Lingheng and his wife Zhao Jingyi were present.

"Momo, how is the young lady from the Lin household?"

Mrs. Zhao asked curiously.

Wang Momo smiled, "Very well."

Just as Nanny Fan had thought.

Wang Momo said, "I was initially worried that Miss Lin, having grown up without a mother's guidance, might have some shortcomings. But to my surprise, she's well-read, reasonable, and even musically talented."

As the legitimate daughter of the Lin household's second branch, Lin Yunwan had exceeded her expectations.

Zhao Jingyi was more pleased than anyone: "Does this mean we can request Her Majesty and the Emperor to issue the decree now!"

Mamma Wang nodded, agreeing with the imperial uncle's idea.

Qi Lingheng stood up and said, "Thank you for your efforts, Mamma."

He then returned to his study to write a letter to the Emperor and Empress, instructing Afu, "Send it to the palace with the utmost urgency, covering eight hundred li."

Afu asked, "Shouldn't it be sent along with Mamma's and the imperial uncle's letters?"

Qi Lingheng shook his head, smiling faintly, "If the Emperor and Empress see my letter first, and then Mamma's and my uncle's and aunt's, they will be even more pleased with Yunwan and more satisfied with this marriage."