“Chapter 202: The Wedding Date”

"Chapter 202: The Wedding Date"

"'Old Madam.'"

"Lin Yunjiao had left, leaving only Lin Yunwan."

"She hadn’t expected Old Madam Lin to make such a decisive move, promising to split the dowry in half."

"This meant that the original dowry of Mrs. Su would still be returned to the Su family, only half of it would end up in her hands."

"'Yunwan, I’ve said all that needs to be said. You don’t need to overthink it; my words are sincere.'"

"Lin Yunwan nodded, knowing well that the Old Madam wouldn’t lie."

"Old Madam Lin said with a gentle smile, 'Aren’t your friends also bringing things for your dowry? Go back now, I’d like to rest as well.'"

"'Yes.'"

"Lin Yunwan curtsied and left."

"After everyone had left, Elder Madame Lin massaged her temples and said to Mamma Fan, '...My eyes are getting blurry.'"

"Mamma Fan sighed and after a long pause said, 'You're making decisions on behalf of the Second Master now, have you thought about the future?'"

"'The dowry Mrs. Su brought was no small sum.'"

"Elder Madame Lin also sighed deeply."

"How could she not guess that her selfish and foolish son probably had only half left to return to its rightful owner?"

"'Even if not the full amount, at least half should be returned to the Su family!'"

"Elder Madame Lin said meaningfully, 'Otherwise, do you think they would just let it go?'"

"Mamma Fan neither agreed nor disagreed."

"She helped the Elder Madame to rest, adding, 'You really should rest now, the Second Master might come over after he's done drinking.'"

"That would be another storm."

"'I know.'"

"Elder Madame Lin went to rest with a detached gaze."

"Her own making, now beyond her control."

"As the sky just began to darken, Lin Huabin, without even changing his clothes after drinking with the relatives, hurried to the Elder Madame's place."

"He didn't dare to show his anger openly, but his tone was far from pleasant."

"'You're so wise and righteous, but have you ever thought about your son? All that silver... it's impossible for me not to have used some over these years.'"

"'You just say to return half of it. Ah, how can you understand the struggles in your son's heart.'"

"Elder Madame Lin watched her second son quietly, waiting for him to finish before asking, 'Are you done? If you have anything else to say, say it all now.'"

"Lin Huabin's face was ashen: 'Your son has said all he needs to.'"

"Elder Madame Lin said calmly, 'I have just three questions for you.'"

"'Ask whatever you want!'"

"Lin Huabin still looked defiant."

"'Do you and Mrs. Su have a legitimate son?'"

"'If this went to court, do you have the means to bribe the magistrate of Jiangqian to cover up for you? Would your daughter 'Yunwan' help you handle this hot potato?'"

"'Do you intend to return all of Mrs. Su's dowry?'"

"Lin Huabin's mind suddenly cleared."

"This wasn't a matter of whether he wanted to return the dowry, but that he must return it!"

"If it weren't for the Elder Madame's intervention, and if Yunwan adamantly refused, and the Su family took this to court, it would be more than just half that would be owed..."

"'Mother, your son... your son...'"

"Elder Madame Lin sharply retorted, 'You never listened to a word I said back then.'"

"'After Mrs. Su's death, her dowry was untouched, not even spent on Yunwan who lived in the countryside. You have no ground to deny it.'"

"'You've backed yourself into a corner; no one else to blame.'"

"Ashamed and defeated, Lin Huabin hung his head low, hands drooping, 'Mother, I was wrong.'"

"Elder Madame Lin remained silent."

"Lin Huabin raised his head to glance at the Elder Madame and asked with a flushed face, 'Mother, what should your son do now?'"

"After a pause, Elder Madame Lin asked, 'How much of Mrs. Su's dowry is left?'"

"'About... half of it.'"

"Not hearing a response from Elder Madame Lin and feeling anxious, he said, 'There were too many shops in Mrs. Su's name, some were poorly managed. I had to liquidate them or convert them into other businesses, which didn't do well, so I had to sell them off too.'"

"'And there are some other assets...'”

"'Enough. Stop talking.'"

"With an exasperated expression, Elder Madame Lin said, 'Focus on arranging Yunwan's dowry first!'"

"'Prepare a dowry for Yunwan?!'"

"Lin Huabin, observing the Elder Madame's expression, which didn't seem like a joke, asked, 'Really give it?'"

"Elder Madame Lin scoffed, 'Do you think you can deceive Prince Huan, or fool your uncle?'"

"Prince Huan and Yunwan, they surely won't cover for him."

"Lord Su isn't easily fooled either."

"Lin Huabin, stammering, tried to say something, but his thoughts were muddled."

"He was already deeply anxious."

"Elder Madame Lin smoothed the faint creases on her sleeve, trying to enlighten him, 'Your uncle is much easier to talk to than Yunwan and Prince Huan. Consider it carefully.'"

"'Then I'll follow your advice.'"

"Still very troubled, Lin Huabin asked, 'Then, what about the other half for the Su family? What should I do?'"

"He truly had nothing left to give."

"Elder Madame Lin had thought it through, 'Move what needs to be moved from your mansion. Things that shouldn't have been taken by you, Zheng Shi, and Yunjiao should be sold, and whatever needs to be returned should be returned.'"

"Reluctantly, Lin Huabin still looked for excuses, 'Mother, but this way, it won't match the original dowry list.'"

"If only he could give less, or not give at all!"

"'The Su family isn't petty. Even if you can't return it exactly as it was, if you match the value in silver and compensate slowly over time, it should be acceptable.'"

"Elder Madame Su closed her eyes, clearly impatient, 'Stop your prattling! Go call your elder and younger brothers here.'"

"Was she asking for his elder and younger brothers' help?"

"Lin Huabin sighed in relief and said, 'Your son will go right away.'"

"Elder Madame Lin shook her head in disappointment."

"Mamma Fan also said helplessly, 'Second Master probably thinks you want his elder and younger brothers to bail him out.'"

"'Wishful thinking.'"

"Elder Madame Lin was far from senile, and she said coldly, 'Back then, it was he who was afraid his brothers would take Mrs. Su's wealth, insisting on dividing the family assets. I obliged him then. Now he expects his elder and younger brothers to clean up his mess? Pure fantasy!'"

"She leaned back and sighed, 'Our Lin family can't write two 'Lin' characters with one stroke, we must maintain the dignity of the Lin clan. But the debt he owes to the Su family, he must repay himself.'"

"Mamma Fan sighed inwardly."

"Such a difficult role to play as a mother!"

"But the most pitiful were Mrs. Su and her prematurely deceased daughter."

"'Why are you standing there waiting for me?'"

"Upon returning to Bi Xi Hall, Lin Yunwan saw Dong Shuangshuang, who was now visibly pregnant."

"Dong Shuangshuang smiled, 'I was tired of sitting, so I came out for a walk, and just in time, you're back.'"

"The two entered hand in hand, as Cuiqin was just changing the tea."

"'Yunwan, you scared me to death!'"

"Dong Shuangshuang, holding Lin Yunwan's hand, said, 'I was so surprised to hear suddenly that you're marrying Prince Huan, I thought it was a joke!'"

"Until Lin Yunwan wrote her a letter."

"The two chatted and laughed together. Although Dong Shuangshuang was astonished by Lin Yunwan's marriage, she was more concerned about whether Yunwan was happy."

"'With the Elder Madame at home, my days are very good. How about you?'"

"Dong Shuangshuang mentioned her husband indifferently, 'He can't move now. When he gets angry, he just smashes things. My daughter and I have moved to another courtyard.'"

"She touched her belly and smiled, 'The Elder Madame prays every day, hoping my child will be a boy.'"

"'You wouldn't believe it, but the Elder Madame is extremely generous to my daughter and me now. She sends all sorts of delicacies and tonics every day.'"

"Lin Yunwan was curious, 'The Elder Madame ignores her son’s gambling debts but is willing to invest in your health?'"

"Dong Shuangshuang laughed, 'You think the Lu family is out of money?'"

"'The Lu family is quite wealthy, with far-reaching business interests. But the Elder Madame is reluctant to indulge her gambling son. Now she pins all her hopes on the child in my womb...'"

"Lin Yunwan was thoughtful."

"Dong Shuangshuang asked her, 'What's on your mind?'"

"Lin Yunwan smiled, 'Your good days are ahead.'"

"Dong Shuangshuang looked a bit puzzled."

"Lin Yunwan explained, 'Don’t forget, the Lu family has a tradition of only one male heir per generation. You were married into the family to become the mistress of the house.'"

"'Mistress of the house...'"

"Dong Shuangshuang murmured softly, never having thought she would do what her mother-in-law did!"

But she had two children, and she knew she had to do it.

Yunwan and Qi Lingheng's wedding was set for early winter.

The Lin residence was bustling for several days.

Everywhere except Bixi Hall, the second branch was moving things out, mostly out rather than in.

It was said to be for the daughter's dowry, but those within the Lin household knew it was to pay off debts.

"Madam didn't make a fuss?"

After hearing the commotion for days, Lin Yunwan found Mrs. Zheng's silence unusually unsettling.

Cuiqin said, "Madam didn't quarrel with the master. But the second miss did have an altercation with the maids moving things. However, she quieted down as soon as Madam arrived."

Lin Yunwan smiled, "Since when has the second miss been so obedient? She always hated when others took her things."

Indeed, Lin Yunjiao nearly flipped the roof watching her familiar belongings being moved out.

Mrs. Zheng hurried over and a single sentence from her calmed her down.

"Do you still want to be Prince Huan's consort?"

Mother and daughter spoke privately behind closed doors, with Mrs. Zheng murmuring for a while before finally saying, "...The items being moved out now are insignificant. Once you're in Prince Huan's residence, you'll have even better things."

"And these things are just being moved temporarily, they will still be yours."

Lin Yunjiao's face was streaked with tears.

"Mother, really?"

Mrs. Zheng wiped her tears, saying, "When have I ever lied to you?"

Lin Yunjiao was dubious yet hopeful.

She grumbled, "But mother, how could all the things I use have belonged to Yunwan's mother..."

Mrs. Zheng moved her lips, yet she didn't provide an explanation.

"Just be good and listen to me. I'll ensure you always live a good life."

Lin Yunjiao nodded.

As soon as her mother left, she inevitably thought of her cousin Wenhai again.

"Cousin..."

What exactly is her mother planning? Has she been deceiving her all along?