Chapter 002: The Past of Lady Wen

Chapter 002: The Past of Lady Wen

The side room where Lin Baozhen lived was now filled with young maids. After Lin Baozhen woke up, she ordered all the maids to leave, and they were herded here like ducks.

In Lin Baozhen's small courtyard, the maids mainly served two people: Feiyan and Chang Yan.

Feiyan had a steady temperament, and she used to be a senior maid by the side of the old madam in the Changqing Marquis Manor. The old madam specially assigned her to Lin Baozhen. Although Lin Baozhen favored Chang Yan more and somewhat neglected Feiyan, the younger maids still called her "Sister Feiyan" and dared not treat her lightly.

Chang Yan had a livelier personality. At this moment, she was being served by a group of young maids, with someone even massaging her legs. Chang Yan casually grabbed a handful of melon seeds that others had shelled for her and leaned against the soft couch, slowly eating them.

Chang Yan glanced at Feiyan and sneered, "Everyone is chatting happily, but you look so serious. I wonder what you're worried about."

Feiyan usually didn't talk much. She slightly raised her eyelids and looked out the window without saying a word.

A maid named Little Hong suddenly spoke up, "Sister Chang Yan, I know why Sister Feiyan is worried."

Everyone's gaze fell on Little Hong.

"Tell us."

Little Hong saw that Feiyan was also looking at her and became nervous, "Sister Feiyan is worried because Second Miss hasn't come out yet."

This immediately stirred up a commotion.

"How could Second Miss be in this courtyard?"

"Yeah, how did Second Miss get here?"

"I do remember that when Second Miss came over, she seemed half-asleep. But I thought she had already left."

Chang Yan, who had been leaning on the soft couch, straightened up, "How could Second Miss be in our courtyard? Feiyan! Tell me what's going on."

Feiyan said, "Madam said she was frightened and asked me to invite Second Miss to copy scriptures. She must stay in this courtyard day and night until she finishes copying."

Chang Yan frowned, jumped off the couch, stomped her feet, and looked anxious, "This is really troublesome. Madam probably forgot about it and specifically instructed to discuss things secretly with the lady. What if Second Miss overhears?"

The maids thought about Lin Yingxue's appearance and temperament and mostly didn't believe that Second Miss would eavesdrop.

The maid named Little Hong spoke softly, "Sister Chang Yan, there's no need to worry about Second Miss. She..."

Chang Yan raised an eyebrow, resembling Lin Baozhen.

She was favored by Lin Baozhen because they shared similar thoughts.

Without waiting for Little Hong to finish, Chang Yan said, "Do you think Second Miss wouldn't eavesdrop? Well, no one knew before that Second Miss could seduce Young Master Xie. Now, even eavesdropping is something she might do!"

If Lin Yingxue heard Chang Yan's words, she would have scoffed repeatedly. She now avoided Xie Jingzhi as if he were a plague.

Feiyan sighed inwardly upon hearing Chang Yan's firm tone, "Little Hong, continue. Did she fall asleep after I left in the afternoon? She told me she wanted to sleep then."

"Yes," Little Hong nodded, "As soon as Sister Feiyan left, I went in to serve Second Miss. She fell asleep quickly. I watched over her for about half an hour, and she slept soundly. Even when I closed the door and left, there was no movement."

Chang Yan paid close attention to news about Lin Yingxue. Hearing Little Hong's words, she relaxed and said, "Then there's nothing to worry about. I've heard that after Second Miss returned from the mountain, she couldn't sleep at night and only slept during the day. No wonder you said she wouldn't eavesdrop. Come here."

Little Hong walked over, and Chang Yan gave her the melon seeds, "Here, these are for you. Enjoy the melon seeds."

Little Hong thanked her, and Chang Yan added, "But remind Madam later that she's still in the side room."

Feiyan nodded, "Of course."

Although she sympathized with Lin Yingxue, she was Lin Baozhen's maid and had to prioritize Lin Baozhen.

Omitting the fact that Lin Yingxue hadn't come out, she had to report it to the eldest miss of the Lin family.

/

Just before dinner, the maids finally left the side room. Little Hong ran quickly to the side room where Lin Yingxue stayed.

Lin Yingxue's voice was hoarse, "Who is it?"

Little Hong circled around the screen and saw Lin Yingxue rubbing her eyes as she got up. Her hair was slightly disheveled, and her cheeks were flushed from sleeping.

It was dusk, and the setting sun cast a warm glow through the window, illuminating the room brightly, making Lin Yingxue's post-nap drowsiness clearly visible.

Little Hong's heart skipped a beat. If she had read more books, she would have known this scene was called "hibiscus sleeping in spring."

Lin Yingxue raised her hand, pinched her temples, and after a while, remembered where she was. She coughed lightly and smoothed her hair, "I must have slept too long. This room smells nice, and I fell asleep right away."

Little Hong bowed respectfully.

"Sister Feiyan mentioned that incense is burned when copying scriptures, which might help calm the mind."

"Indeed, incense always has such an effect," Lin Yingxue nodded, getting up with Little Hong's assistance. "I slept better here than in my own courtyard."

Little Hong noticed the red mark on Lin Yingxue's cheek from sleeping and felt reassured that Second Miss had been sleeping the whole time.

After helping Lin Yingxue wash and change, Lin Yingxue sat down at the dressing table.

Little Hong combed Lin Yingxue's hair, and when she finished tying the ribbon, she couldn't help but admire how beautiful Second Miss was, inheriting Lady Wen's beauty.

Speaking of Lady Wen, she was the only concubine of Lord Lin Yi. Because Lady Wang was strong-willed, Lin Yi initially kept her outside. Later, when Lady Wen bore a child, Lin Yi insisted and eventually brought her into the manor as his concubine. Their daughter, Lin Yingxue, became the second miss of the household.

While Little Hong was thinking about these past events, Lin Yingxue had already reached the window and started grinding ink.

Seeing her actions, Little Hong snapped back to reality, "Second Miss, no need to grind ink yet. Let me bring your meal. Please wait here."

"Alright," Lin Yingxue agreed.

Once Little Hong left the room, Lin Yingxue's back relaxed slightly. Thinking about the layout of her elder sister's courtyard, she believed she had passed this test.

/

Meanwhile, as Lin Yingxue was copying scriptures, Lin Baozhen learned from the maids that everyone had been dismissed except for Lin Yingxue.

Lin Baozhen immediately thought of the commotion outside earlier, but then she reconsidered—the corridor couldn't hide anyone.

At that moment, the young maid said, "When I passed by earlier, she had just woken up. After I helped her with her makeup, Second Miss was about to start copying scriptures."

"I forgot she was here copying Buddhist scriptures," Lin Baozhen rubbed her temples. "Forget it, don't bother with her. Just let her go without copying the scriptures."

Fei Yan's eyes flickered with surprise, while Chang Yan's face clearly showed her shock.

Chang Yan jumped up, "Miss, why are you letting her off so easily? We should use the scriptures to enlighten her and prevent her from seducing others!"

The long nap in the afternoon made Lin Baozhen feel as if she had lived an entire lifetime in her dream. Her mindset had changed, and she no longer felt like tormenting Lin Yingxue over such trivial matters. If word got out, it would only tarnish her own reputation.

"Before, I wanted her to copy books under my watchful eye, but I forgot one thing. If I accidentally see her, it will be unpleasant, and Mother might come over occasionally. What if she overhears something she shouldn't?"

Thinking about this, Lin Baozhen felt guilty. In her dream, she only focused on her immediate surroundings and ignored the important matters of the court, disappointing her mother. Her mother told her to think more and find any clues that could benefit the Lin family or the Changqing Marquisate.

"She dares!" Chang Yan raised her eyebrows. "If she dares to eavesdrop, I'll tear her mouth apart."

Lin Baozhen was amused, looking at Chang Yan reminded her of her younger self. In her dream, she did many foolish things, and Chang Yan was always there for her, while Fei Yan always tried to stop her.

Thinking about the foolish things she did in her dream, Lin Baozhen pursed her lips.

Lin Baozhen told her mother that she remained chaste until her death, but this was not entirely true.

She had married Fu Jiaze, who was only a county magistrate at the time, feeling very resentful. She tried to avoid accompanying him to his post and stayed in the capital city, hoping to delay their separation.

Unexpectedly, rumors spread in the capital, making her life unbearable, forcing her to go to Wuxian County.

In Wuxian County, Fu Jiaze refused to touch her. Later, she met a scholar and had an affair with him. Before Fu Jiaze died, she even planned to kill him with her lover, but he died on his own.

After that, she met her own demise...

Thinking about being attacked by a madwoman in her dream, Lin Baozhen muttered a curse under her breath.

However, now she had a premonitory dream. With this information, she was still chaste and a noble lady, capable of marrying someone better!

With this thought, Lin Baozhen waved her hand. "Let Lin Yingxue go. I don't want to see her."

/

Lin Yingxue was initially stunned when she heard she was being released, but then she understood.

Lin Baozhen had experienced a premonitory dream and her mindset had changed. She no longer wanted to trouble herself with such trivial matters.

Lin Yingxue quickly packed her things, while Chang Yan pouted and drew out her words.

"Remember, you still need to copy scriptures when you return."

Lin Yingxue immediately responded, "Thank you, Chang Yan. I will remember to copy scriptures every day to bless Sister."

Seeing Lin Yingxue's demeanor, Chang Yan felt displeased and turned to leave the room. "Go."

Lin Yingxue walked out and saw Fei Yan, who was followed by a maid named Little Hong, carrying a large bundle.

Fei Yan said, "They just packed everything this afternoon. Take it back now."

After a short delay, the sun had already set.

The entire Lin residence grew dim, and the corridors were lit by servants hanging lanterns, creating a faint glow.

The garden of the Lin residence was still not brightly lit. Lin Yingxue borrowed a lantern from a maid to light the way for the maid behind her.

Having eaten nothing all day, Lin Yingxue's stomach was empty, yet she walked briskly.

As soon as she entered the courtyard, Aunt Ou exclaimed happily, "Second Miss, you're back."

"Mm." Lin Yingxue nodded and headed straight for Wen Hui's room. Her birth mother used to be indifferent, focusing solely on vegetarianism and prayer. Since the incident during the mountain pilgrimage, her mother had changed somewhat.

If the past Wen Hui was a lofty celestial maiden, now she had a touch of earthly warmth.

Aunt Ou quickly stopped Lin Yingxue, shaking her head and lowering her voice. "Second Miss, you can't go in. Father is in Auntie's room."

Lin Yingxue was surprised. Her father rarely spent the night with Auntie, usually only visiting during the day on rest days to check on her daily life and studies. Why was he there now?

But since her father was there, it wouldn't be appropriate to disturb them.

Lin Yingxue told Aunt Ou, "Aunt Ou, take my bundle. I'll go to my room first and won't disturb Father and Auntie."

Aunt Ou smiled, glancing back at Wen Hui's room, her eyes filled with complexity.

She was Wen Hui's wet nurse, and Wen Hui's birth mother had died when she was young. Aunt Ou treated this pitiful child as her own daughter, accompanying Wen Hui through her life.

To say, the Wen family did not allow their daughters to become concubines, but Wen Hui's father met his former student Lin Yi before his death, leading to Wen Hui's entanglement with Lin Yi.

Wen Hui's father was already on his deathbed and wanted to entrust his daughter to someone. Lin Yi claimed he was unmarried, and thus they "married."

For a while, they were blissfully happy and even had a child, Lin Yingxue. But when Lin Yi was about to return to the capital, he revealed a shocking secret: he was already married to Lady Wang from the Changqing Marquisate. The marriage document between Wen Hui and Lin Yi was fake; Lin Yi never registered it with the authorities, leaving Wen Hui as his mistress.

Upon hearing this, Wen Hui was enraged and stabbed Lin Yi with a pair of embroidery scissors.

When Aunt Ou heard the commotion and rushed in with the child, she saw Wen Hui repeatedly stabbing Lin Yi with a silver scissors, while the bleeding Lin Yi gently said, "My dear Hui, don't be angry. It's my fault." Turning to Aunt Ou, he smiled weakly, "Hui, look, Aunt Ou is here. You scared Aunt Ou and Yingxue."

Seeing Aunt Ou and Lin Yingxue, Wen Hui screamed in despair. Lin Yi, who had been smiling, frowned and tried to calm her down, eventually knocking her unconscious with a chop to her neck.

After settling Wen Hui, Lin Yi turned to Aunt Ou, "Aunt Ou, rest for a bit."

Aunt Ou felt a sudden lightness and was knocked unconscious.

When she regained consciousness, Wen Hui had been brought into the Lin residence, and Lin Yingxue was recorded as a concubine-born daughter. The situation was irreversible.

The love and resentment intertwined, and Wen Hui treated Lin Yi coldly ever since. This changed only after Lin Yingxue was shocked during the mountain pilgrimage. Wen Hui knelt in the small prayer hall for a long time, seemingly making a decision. That afternoon, after Fei Yan came, she sent someone to find Lin Yi for the first time since becoming a concubine.

Nanny Ou sighed and looked at the unsuspecting Lin Yingxue, saying, "Let's go."

Nanny Ou swiftly took the bundle from Little Hong.

Before they could return to Lin Yingxue's room, they heard a creak as the door opened, revealing Wen Hui.

Wen Hui stood in the night breeze; her long eyebrows were more arched than Lin Yingxue's. Both had almond-shaped eyes, but Wen Hui's were more elongated, giving her an icy elegance that contrasted with Lin Yingxue's gentle demeanor.

Lin Yingxue, being younger, resembled a freshly bloomed flower, shy and fresh, stirring the heart; whereas Wen Hui was like a fully blossomed rose, vividly beautiful and striking, making it hard to look away.

Wen Hui looked at Lin Yingxue, seemingly surprised, and the frost in her eyes melted somewhat. "Yingxue."

Wen Hui was already stunningly beautiful, and time seemed to favor this beauty. Her soft call echoed like a goddess under the moonlight, the wind billowing her sleeves, tempering her brilliance with an ethereal charm.

After calling her daughter's name, Wen Hui began to cough.

Upon hearing Wen Hui's cough, hurried footsteps sounded inside the house.

A cloak fell onto Wen Hui's shoulders, causing her body to stiffen, her brows unconsciously furrowing before slowly relaxing. She took a step forward, not wanting to stand shoulder to shoulder with the person.

Lin Yingxue quickly bowed to the person.

"Daughter greets Father."

The one who draped the cloak over Wen Hui was Lin Yi.

Lin Yi was a full head taller than Wen Hui, with a slender build. Having changed out of his official robes, he wore a dark bamboo-patterned lake silk round-collar robe.

Though nearing forty, his clear gaze remained bright. Years of service had imbued him with an uncommon noble aura, and his outstanding appearance and demeanor were what had originally attracted the Wang family to him.

Lin Yi paid no mind to Wen Hui's slight step aside and spoke gently:

"Even if you're worried about Yingxue, you shouldn't come out like this. Your health is fragile; catching a chill would only worry me and Yingxue."

Wen Hui did not turn back, merely tugging at the cloak. "Understood."

Then she addressed her daughter, "Yingxue, you're back? Your sister asked you to copy scriptures?"

"Yes."

Lin Yi smiled faintly upon hearing Wen Hui's words. Hearing Lin Yingxue's response, he immediately said, "I apologize; the Ministry of Rites has been busy lately, and I've neglected Yingxue. If it weren't for your reminder, I wouldn't have known about Baozhen's actions. She's gone too far. Now that you're back, don't worry. I'll speak to Madam, and you can ignore any further requests from Baozhen."

Hearing this, Wen Hui finally turned around. The red cloak on her shoulders swirled gracefully as she curtsied. "Thank you, sir."

Before Wen Hui could complete her curtsy, Lin Yi quickly held her hand.

This time, Wen Hui did not pull away, allowing Lin Yi's gesture.

Seeing Wen Hui's acceptance, Lin Yi's face lit up, his voice tinged with restrained excitement, "No need to thank me. Yingxue is my daughter; how could I not care for her? I always keep her matters in mind."

Lin Yi gazed deeply into Wen Hui's face, waiting for her response. Wen Hui's long lashes fluttered as she softly replied, "Yes, I know."

With these words, Lin Yi's joy was palpable. He embraced Wen Hui tightly without restraint, even in front of Lin Yingxue, who promptly turned away, embarrassed.

Wen Hui closed her eyes, letting Lin Yi hold her.

The Third Rank Minister of the Ministry of Rites savored Wen Hui's faint fragrance, his heart filled to the brim. When the night breeze caused Wen Hui to cough again, he reluctantly released her. "Let's go inside."

Lin Yi then thought for a moment and said to Lin Yingxue, "Has Yingxue eaten yet?"

Lin Yingxue replied, "Father, not yet."

Wen Hui's brow furrowed slightly, and Lin Yi quickly added, "Yingxue, eat with us. Have the kitchen send two more dishes."

Upon Lin Yi's instruction, a maid immediately headed towards the kitchen with a lantern.