Chapter 024: Wen Hui in Her Finest Attire

Chapter 024: Wen Hui in Her Finest Attire

On this morning, the outskirts of the capital were still shrouded in darkness, but not far from the city gates, a small courtyard house was illuminated by flickering lights that gradually multiplied, casting a bright glow into the dim space.

Wen Hui looked at the clothes she had prepared the night before, her fingers brushing over them as she finally picked up the neatly ironed garments.

Layer upon layer of gauzy robes accumulated, and once dressed, Wen Hui sat before the mirror, refusing the maid's help with makeup and instead applying it herself.

When Lin Yingxue finished dressing, she came to see her mother. Upon seeing her, she was momentarily stunned, for she had never seen her mother dressed and made up like this before.

The outfit was too beautiful, exuding a youthful charm.

To enhance this youthful aura, Wen Hui used powder to skillfully conceal the fine lines on her face and applied a tenderly pink lip rouge.

The color of the lip rouge was one Wen Hui had mixed herself; it wasn't a bright red but resembled the petals of a springtime hawthorn blossom, adorned with dewdrops, fresh and delicate.

It seemed Wen Hui had decided to astonish everyone. She wore a light golden gauze robe, thin as a cicada's wing, with about ten layers, making her skin appear as smooth as jade.

As she moved, the gauze fluttered, reflecting varying hues of color.

There were no other adornments around her waist, only a deep golden sash. Despite having given birth, her figure remained as slender as a young maiden's.

Seeing Lin Yingxue staring intently, Wen Hui turned her head and asked, "Do you find my attire strange?"

Wen Hui had tried the outfit herself yesterday and thought it looked good, but she wanted her daughter's final judgment, fearing her own assessment might be biased.

As Wen Hui spoke, the tassels on her headdress swayed gently, like a breeze in the rain.

Lin Yingxue shook her head and earnestly replied, "No, it's very beautiful. It makes you look so young, almost like an unmarried girl."

While the outfit was beautiful, Lin Yingxue had a question, "Mother, it just rained. Won't you feel cold wearing such light clothing?"

Wen Hui picked up a cloak from beside her, "Don't worry. I have this cloak to wear over it. When I wore this outfit years ago, it was spring. Though it's autumn now, the temperature is similar, making it perfect for use."

Wen Hui unfolded the cloak, revealing a crimson-colored cloak with flying cranes and fluffy white edges, exuding a youthful charm.

Lin Yingxue watched as Wen Hui wrapped herself in the cloak and then picked up a vase from nearby. She lowered her head to fiddle with the flowers inside, then smiled brightly at Lin Yingxue.

In the past, Lin Yingxue rarely saw Wen Hui smile, but now, seeing her mother's smile, she was momentarily stunned, feeling a sudden pang of sadness.

Wen Hui merely smiled faintly without saying anything. She turned to look at her reflection in the mirror, wanting to see if her makeup matched how she looked back then.

This outfit was worn when Lin Yi returned home after achieving success, the day she accidentally bumped into him.

It was a spring day. She was carrying a vase filled with freshly cut peach blossoms, excitedly heading to find her father, "Father."

She rushed in but didn't find her father. Instead, she unexpectedly collided with Lin Yi, who was wearing a bamboo-leaf-patterned round-collar robe.

Embarrassed, Wen Hui blushed deeply, especially since the tassel on her hairpin got tangled in his garment's ties.

When she tried to lift her head, a large hand pressed down on her hairpin.

The unfamiliar touch made her nervous, and just then, Lin Yi spoke.

"Miss Wen, I am Lin Yi, a student of your father. You probably don't remember me, but I'm not a stranger. Don't be afraid. Let's take our time to untangle this. If we rush, your hairpin might get damaged. I'll do it slowly."

Lin Yi?

Wen Hui vaguely remembered the name. After his father's death and his mother's remarriage, he knelt before her father, asking to waive his tuition fees. He promised to repay double once he achieved success. Her father, unwilling to waste Lin Yi's talent, helped him up, waived his fees, and even sponsored his education at a better academy.

Lin Yi did not disappoint her father's expectations, gradually climbing the ranks until he finally passed the imperial examinations.

Wen Hui had seen Lin Yi before but couldn't recall him being so tall and lanky, capable of half-embracing her.

His breath brushed against her delicate ear, causing her face to flush. Because her hairpin was caught in his garment, she dared not move, repeatedly urging him, "Are you done yet?"

"Almost, just a moment more. This part is tricky."

Once Lin Yi finally untangled it, Wen Hui's face was flushed red. However, because he was her father's student, she couldn't be too rude and stammered, "I apologize. I came to see my father."

Lin Yi smiled, "Please sit, Miss Wen. I also came to see my mentor. He's not here right now; someone called for him earlier. Since I'm waiting anyway, why don't you join me?"

Lin Yi was a guest, so Wen Hui put aside the vase and offered to pour him tea.

Lin Yi stood up, placing his hand over the teapot she held, "Miss Wen, there's no need for such formality. I'll do it. Did you just pick these peach blossoms?"

Wen Hui relented, and Lin Yi poured tea for both of them, "Yes, I just picked them."

"The flowers are lovely, but they seem a bit too perfect. Perhaps trimming one branch would improve them."

Wen Hui's eyes lit up, and she said happily, "Let me get the scissors for you. I also felt they needed some trimming but wasn't sure where to start."

Wen Hui handed Lin Yi a pair of scissors, and he promptly trimmed a branch, instantly giving the arrangement a touch of elegance.

Wen Hui delightedly played with the branches, smiling at Lin Yi, "You did a wonderful job."

Lin Yi was momentarily stunned by her smile, then laughed, his gaze fixed on her, "I learned a bit about flower arrangement while studying at the Imperial Academy."

"You entered the Imperial Academy?" Wen Hui, initially feeling awkward due to his intense gaze, became excited upon hearing about his achievement, "What is the Imperial Academy like? Does my father know you joined it? He must be thrilled!"

"My mentor doesn't know yet. Are you interested in the Imperial Academy?"

Wen Hui nodded confidently, "Every scholar dreams of entering the Imperial Academy. Even though I'm a woman, I've read many classics with my father, and naturally, I aspire to such places. Congratulations on joining! Please tell my father later; he'll be overjoyed."

Lin Yi smiled, "My final exam results weren't enough to enter the Imperial Academy, but through a fortunate coincidence, I did. Since you're interested, let me tell you about the Imperial Academy before your father arrives."

Wen Hui later learned that Lin Yi's "fortunate coincidence" was due to his marriage into the Changqing Marquisate, which allowed him to bypass a provincial posting and enter the Imperial Academy. He hadn't mentioned this to her father due to the nepotism involved.

Wen Hui's eyes lit up, "Sure."

Lin Yi spoke slowly, "Let's start with the location of the Imperial Academy... It is situated in... The few officials there each have their own temperaments... The books in the Imperial Academy can be quite varied and peculiar... I was involved in compiling some of those books..."

Wen Hui had never felt her home to be small before, but this time she found it so cramped that she could feel Lin Yi's gaze.

His gaze seemed like a net that ensnared her, omnipresent.

Even after the incident, Wen Hui still remembered Lin Yi's words. When he first saw her, his heart pounded as if in a drumbeat, almost leaping out of his chest. So he quickly used his fingers to play with her hairpin, leaving the tassel on his robe.

At that time, Wen Hui did not know she was being lured into becoming a concubine. She thought she was Lin Yi's legitimate wife, and when Lin Yi recounted these old stories, she nestled sweetly in his arms.

Thinking back to her past behavior, Wen Hui felt a sense of nausea in her chest.

Lin Yingxue stepped forward and gently patted her mother's back. "Mother, are you alright?"

"I'm fine," Wen Hui shook her head. She tried to calm herself down, looking at her reflection in the mirror. Though no longer youthful and innocent, she now exuded a mature charm.

Back then, in the Lin residence, she refused to speak to Lin Yi, appearing disheveled, yet even then, Lin Yi could not let go of her. And now, how would he feel seeing her like this? Would he be even more heartbroken signing the release papers?

Wen Hui tapped the mirror with her fingertips and smiled softly. The woman in the mirror returned a gentle smile, like a blossoming flower in the spring breeze.

/

The citizens of the capital were also waiting for the trial of this case, especially those who missed the excitement outside the Lin residence last time.

Many people waited behind the government office, and when they saw the carriage marked with the Fourth Prince's insignia approaching from the outskirts, they became excited and started pushing.

"She's here! She's here!"

"Who's here?"

"It's that Wen woman seeking justice. Didn't you see her coming from the outskirts?"

"Last time, I heard she was incredibly beautiful, even more stunning than the courtesans in the pleasure quarters. I want to see what she looks like."

"Don't just look at Wen Hui; there's also her daughter. I heard she's very beautiful too, truly heart-wrenching."

There were too many people, so the carriage carrying Wen Hui and Lin Yingxue could not approach directly. They stopped and walked to the government office.

Lin Yingxue stepped out of the carriage first, her light makeup catching everyone's attention.

The young girl dressed elegantly, her posture graceful, and she waited for the other person to descend from the carriage.

This scene reminded people of a lotus emerging from water, swaying gently in the breeze, sending a refreshing fragrance.

In the crowd, Wang Zifan from the Longqing Marquisate was mesmerized. He murmured, "Yingxue sister."

He thought his idea that day was great—Lin Baozhen wouldn't have to marry an old man, and he could take care of Yingxue. But no one in the marquisate agreed, scolding him for being ridiculous, breaking his heart.

Seeing Lin Yingxue now, Wang Zifan felt they had no fate, his heart aching.

The carriage curtain was lifted, revealing a slender, delicate hand resting on Lin Yingxue's arm.

Wang Zifan had seen many beauties, but just by looking at the hand, he knew its owner must be extremely beautiful. He held his breath, staring intently at the person descending from the carriage.

The curtain fully opened, and Wen Hui, dressed in layers of gauzy robes, stepped out of the carriage. Her maid Feiyuan jumped down and draped a cloak over Wen Hui.

Wen Hui gave Feiyuan a faint smile, and someone nearby audibly gasped.

The guards of the Imperial Guard pushed through the crowd to allow the mother and daughter to enter the government office. The crowd stood stunned, allowing the guards to clear a path. Those on the outer edges were puzzled, chattering and trying to jump to see what was happening inside.

Once Wen Hui and Lin Yingxue entered the government office, the crowd erupted in noise.

"My goodness, now I understand why that Lin official wanted to keep her. She's truly beautiful. If it were me, I couldn't resist either!"

"Just seeing these two women makes today worth it. Such a beautiful lady, and that Lin official is so heartless to deceive her. If I saw her, I'd be speechless, let alone deceive her."

"I knew her daughter was beautiful, but I didn't expect her to be so captivating."

"Actually, if you look closely, the younger Lin sister is prettier and younger. But Wen Hui has a special charm, and no one expected her to look this way at her age, making her even more enchanting."

Wang Zifan stood there, stunned. How did he miss that his uncle's concubine was so breathtakingly beautiful, with the allure of a national beauty!

An idea suddenly struck him: Wen Hui was about to be released as a concubine. What if he took her as his concubine?

He missed his chance with Lin Yingxue because she was already engaged, but Wen Hui was different. She would soon be released!

"Brother Zifan..."

Lin Baozhen glared at him. "What do you want?"

Wang Zifan was startled by her expression and hesitantly said, "What if I took Wen Hui as my concubine?"

Lin Baozhen's eyes widened in disbelief. "Are you crazy? She's your aunt, your father's woman!"

"She's an old woman. Think about her age. From afar, she looked okay, but she must have used tons of makeup. Without it, she'd probably look older than your mother."

Thinking of Wen Hui's age compared to his mother's, Wang Zifan's feverish thoughts cooled. He chuckled awkwardly.

But Lin Baozhen, not letting up, seeing Wang Zifan's reaction and thinking of Fu Jiaze marrying Lin Yingxue, angrily said, "Men are all the same, seeing a pretty face and losing control. What's so good about such a seductive woman? You're the most outrageous. Taking Wen Hui as a concubine? If you say that in the marquisate, you'll get scolded."

"I just think she's beautiful. How can you tell she has children? It was just a thought. Why are you so harsh?" Wang Zifan said sheepishly. "Baozhen, you're the one who's crazy, wanting to marry Wei Wuhou, an old man."

The word "old man" struck Lin Baozhen's heart. She trembled, ready to slap her cousin, but someone grabbed her hand.

A deep voice spoke, "Why argue with your cousin?"

Wei Wuhou knew his marriage to a young bride would be criticized. He shaved off his beard, tidied his sideburns, and used a light pine scent to appear younger.

Lin Baozhen, pulled by Wei Wuhou, was stunned. "Lord Marquis..."

She caught sight of Xie Jingzhi, who looked pale and haggard, with dark circles under his eyes.

Lin Baozhen felt a pang in her heart, knowing that Xie Jingzhi was acting this way because of Lin Yingxue's marriage. "Jingzhi, why do you look like this?"

Xie Jingzhi took a deep breath. "I greet Miss Lin."

At present, Lin Baozhen has not yet married her father, but everyone knows it is a done deal, and Xie Jingzhi treats her with utmost respect.

Lin Baozhen sighed softly. "The autumn exams are approaching soon; you must take care of your health."

Wei Wuhou Xie Yuan watched Lin Baozhen and his son. Although Lin Baozhen will be his son's stepmother, it was normal for her to be concerned about his health. Still, he felt uneasy about it. He gently pushed her back. "Let's go into the government office. The matter with Minister Lin has caused quite a stir; we need to reach a decision."

Wang Zifan stood there for a moment, still thinking about the issue of addressing people. If Wei Wuhou and Lin Baozhen marry, that old man would have to call him cousin.

Thinking of this title, Wang Zifan shuddered, filled with admiration for his uncle. After all, Wei Wuhou would have to call his uncle his father-in-law—how did his uncle agree to this marriage?

Lin Baozhen looked at Wang Zifan standing there and said irritably, "Cousin, what are you still standing there for? Hurry up and come in!"

Everyone from Changqing Hou Mansion and the two from Weiwu Marquis Mansion entered the government office together.