Chapter 237: The Reunion

Chapter 237: The Reunion

"Princess, the young master is dressed."

Lin Yunwan had ordered someone to prepare clothes for Qi Zaijun early in the morning for the banquet at the Xingguo Duke’s residence.

Cuiqin was attending to Lin Yunwan's makeup.

Without turning her head, Lin Yunwan instructed the maid behind her, "Bring the young master here."

"Yes."

The maid retreated, but soon the door curtain was lifted by someone else.

Qi Lingheng, having risen early to practice his boxing, entered and asked, "Are we really going to the Duke's residence?"

"Unfortunately, the Emperor has summoned me to the palace today."

He approached Lin Yunwan to help her with her eyebrows.

Lin Yunwan turned her head, allowing him to hold her chin and close her eyes, saying, "Sooner or later, we have to go."

They were very close; Cuiqin discreetly left the room, only to see Qi Zaijun approaching by himself, and she hurriedly stopped the young master.

Qi Lingheng tried to kiss Lin Yunwan but was blocked. She turned her face away, saying, "I've already applied balm to my lips."

Qi Lingheng had to step back but still said, "If the Emperor doesn't have other matters, I'll come to the Duke's residence to pick you up."

Today, they were supposed to discuss the matter of naming Qi Zaijun as the crown prince.

"Alright."

Lin Yunwan stood up, and Qi Lingheng led her out. Qi Zaijun, seeing his father and mother emerge, rushed between them, separating their hands and holding one each.

Qi Lingheng tapped his head, "Who taught you that?"

Firmly prying open his hands.

Qi Zaijun felt wronged, "The Imperial Grandfather and Grandmother always fight to hold me, so I hold one on each side."

Qi Lingheng laughed, "Well, I never fought for you."

"It's getting late."

Lin Yunwan urged her husband and son to hurry.

The family left the prince's residence, splitting into two carriages, one headed to the imperial palace and the other to the Xingguo Duke's residence.

Upon reaching the Chen residence.

Lin Yunwan lifted the carriage curtain for a glance. It was her first visit, and the grand entrance of the Duke's mansion was quite impressive. With many distinguished guests arriving today, the main gate was wide open.

The carriage of the Crown Prince's residence had also just stopped beside hers.

The Crown Princess descended from her carriage, glancing over in her direction.

Since returning to the capital, Lin Yunwan and Qi Lingheng had met with important royal relatives. She had already met the Crown Princess.

Lin Yunwan also looked towards the opposite side.

The Crown Princess stood there, exuding an elegant and noble aura.

However, she was over forty, childless, and her husband had been ill for many years.

Her face lacked a certain liveliness.

"Crown Princess."

Lin Yunwan could not pretend not to see her and went over to pay her respects.

The Crown Princess returned the courtesy with a slight bow and a faint smile, "Sister, you’re here too? What a coincidence, let's go in together."

Lin Yunwan nodded, signaling the maid to take good care of Qi Zaijun.

The two entered through the main gate, both of distinguished status, led by specialized maids.

The Crown Princess chatted idly with Lin Yunwan, "The Crown Prince is unwell and couldn't come. Didn't your seventh brother accompany you? Being new to the capital, you might not be aware, but the Xingguo Duke's residence is not like other houses. It would have been advisable to persuade the Prince to come."

Her tone seemed free of malice.

Without mentioning the matter of imperial awards, Lin Yunwan simply stated, "The Emperor summoned the Prince to the palace."

"Oh, I see."

The Crown Princess smiled faintly, then said no more.

Lin Yunwan too had nothing further to add.

The housekeeper beside Madame Chen, hurrying by, was startled to hear Lin Yunwan's voice.

"Isn't this the woman I met at the Red Elephant Temple that day!"

After a moment's thought, the housekeeper felt it imperative to inform Madame Chen and, leaving her duties, hurried back to whisper to her.

Madame Chen, busy entertaining guests, stepped aside upon hearing that the woman seen at the Red Elephant Temple was in her residence, to speak privately with the housekeeper.

"She came with the Crown Princess? What did their interaction look like?"

The housekeeper was quick to respond, "Although she arrived with the Crown Princess, they didn’t seem very close. Her attire, though modest and dignified, is quite simple compared to the Crown Princess's."

"She likely doesn't come from a major household, probably just a distant relative of the Crown Princess's family."

Such banquet freeloaders, distant relatives or poor kin of the powerful, were common sights at the Duke's residence.

The Chen family never regarded anyone below a third-rank metropolitan official.

Madame Chen suddenly flared up, "What's so great about the relatives of the Crown Princess? That day at the Red Elephant Temple, she dared to disregard me! She even messed up Baor's matter."

Her gaze was fierce, "Today, I want to see how the Crown Princess protects her!"

This was preparing a harsh lesson for that woman!

The housekeeper diplomatically suggested, "After all, she is related to the Crown Princess's family. Perhaps, for the sake of the Crown Prince's face..."

Madame Chen scoffed coldly and fell silent.

Some things were better left unsaid.

Everyone knew the Crown Prince was ineffectual, leading to barrenness in his inner court. The relationship between the Crown Prince and Prince Huan was also strained.

The Crown Princess's own family was one thing, but why should the Chen family give face to her distant relatives?

"I'll just wait for her to come over."

With those harsh words, Madame Chen turned back to the banquet.

"The Crown Princess has arrived!"

The housekeeper, eager to inform Madame Chen, noted the Crown Princess's arrival before Lin Yunwan's guide maid even approached.

Upon seeing Lin Yunwan in the banquet hall, Madame Chen sneered, "I knew it was her just by the sound of her voice."

Lin Yunwan arrived alongside the Crown Princess, and Madame Chen went out to greet them.

The Crown Princess was an old acquaintance of the Duke's family. Madame Chen began very respectfully, "Your Highness, the Crown Princess."

The Crown Princess smiled, "Madame Chen, there's no need for such formalities."

She helped Madame Chen up.

Madame Chen's gaze then shifted to Lin Yunwan, not exactly friendly.

Aware of being recognized, Lin Yunwan smiled slightly, "Madame Chen."

Indeed, it was her.

Madame Chen's gaze turned colder, her smile ambiguous, "This lady's voice is quite familiar."

Lin Yunwan confidently responded, "We had a brief encounter at the Red Elephant Temple the other day."

She dared to admit it!

Madame Chen quickly retorted, "That was hardly an encounter. I didn’t even get a proper look at you that day."

The Crown Princess, confused, asked Lin Yunwan, "What's this all about?"

Madame Chen's insinuating tone was unexpected.

Who in the capital would dare offend her seventh brother's sister-in-law now?

Madame Chen's question was sharp yet masked with a smile, "Crown Princess, may I ask what relation this lady has to your family?"

The Crown Princess suddenly laughed, "Madame Chen, your question is quite peculiar. She is your guest, why are you asking me?"

Now Madame Chen was the one confused.

What did she mean by her guest?

The housekeeper murmured softly, "Isn’t she a relative of your family, Your Highness?"

The Crown Princess finally understood the misunderstanding.

She couldn't fathom how such a mix-up occurred!

The maid leading the way from the Duke's residence, trembling, stepped forward, "Madame, this is Princess Huan..."

Madame Chen was stunned for a moment before turning to look at Lin Yunwan.

Lin Yunwan's expression was calm, and she suddenly smiled.

"Princess... Huan."

Madame Chen stammered.

The Crown Princess, now understanding the situation, inwardly sighed at the Chen family's usual arrogance, which had backfired this time.

"Madame Chen, aren’t you going to invite us in?"

Lin Yunwan was growing warm from standing outside.

Madame Chen's face paled slightly, and she said in a fluster, "Please come in, Princess Huan. And you as well, Your Highness."

Lin Yunwan, accompanied by Qi Zaijun, entered, but didn’t see anyone from the Lu family.

The Lus were still en route, with Ge Baor accompanying Lu Changzong, while Lu Zhengliu was in another carriage.

Lu Changzong walked with his head down, looking gloomy.

Ge Baor asked him, "Why are you upset about seeing your maternal grandmother?"

Lu Changzong muttered, "I said I wanted to bring Xiaoxuan along!"

Ge Baor flared up instantly, restraining herself before saying, "The Duke's residence is not like our home. How could we bring a mere maid here?"

"Aren't you also an aunt? How come you get to go?"

Lu Changzong retorted angrily.

Ge Baor felt a pain in her chest from anger, her face pale as she asked, "Who taught you to talk like that! Is this what I get for sending you to Ming Mountain Academy? Such vulgar language?"

Lu Changzong replied impatiently, "That's what I heard from my classmates at Ming Mountain Academy."

Ge Baor clenched her teeth in frustration.

Lin Yunyi, it was him again, leading those instigating scholars!

She utterly despised the Lin family.

"Why didn't Lin Yunwan take her brother with her when she was burned alive?"