Chapter 040 Returning to the Maternal Home

Chapter 040 Returning to the Maternal Home

The second day was the day for returning to the maternal home. Lin Yingxue and Fu Jiaze went to bed early. Early in the morning, Fu Heng said to them, "I have already prepared the gifts for the return visit. Later, I will go to the North City Command's prison myself. I sent Wanan to Qin Qianhu to avoid startling her when she sees me returning to the prison."

That day, when Fu Jiaze and Fu Heng were both caught and thrown into prison, it truly frightened Fu Wanan. No matter how much Lin Yingxue and Wen Hui tried to comfort her, they couldn't calm her down. Even when Qin Yuanting arrived, Fu Wanan sobbed in his presence for a long time.

Worried about startling her daughter again, Fu Heng entrusted her to Qin Yuanting, planning to have him bring her back after the newlyweds returned from their visit.

Fu Jiaze said, "Mother, why don't Yingxue and I accompany you later?"

"Accompany me where?" Fu Heng asked with amusement. "That place of bad luck is best avoided. Besides, accompanying me there would only invite ridicule. I don't want people to laugh at me. That's why I chose this time to return to the prison."

Fu Heng's voice softened as she spoke to Lin Yingxue, patting her hand. "If your father and that stepmother say anything unpleasant, don't take it to heart. Complete this visit properly, and we won't return to the Lin residence anymore. Wait until they need something from you before stepping through their door again."

Lin Yingxue nodded. "Mother, if anything happens, please send us a message."

Fu Heng's eyes warmed, and she nodded in agreement.

After seeing them off in the carriage, Fu Heng headed towards the North City Command herself.

Once the carriage had traveled a distance, Lin Yingxue lifted the curtain.

Lin Yingxue rarely left the Lin residence, and although Fu Jiaze had only been in the capital city for a short time, he enjoyed exploring every corner of the city. In the first three days, he had toured the entire city by carriage, and now he could introduce everything to Lin Yingxue with great detail.

As they approached the Lin residence, Lin Yingxue continued asking questions. "And then what?"

Fu Jiaze gently turned his new wife's face towards the Lin residence sign. "Now, look where we are."

The gilded characters of the Lin residence shone brightly under the sun. Lin Yingxue blushed. "So this is it."

Fu Jiaze didn't rush to get out of the carriage. He said to Lin Yingxue, "Listening is somewhat boring. I've heard of many interesting places, and I'll take you to visit them."

"Really?" Lin Yingxue's eyes lit up.

Having seen her shy and determined sides, Fu Jiaze rarely saw her so childlike.

He recalled what Wen Hui once told him.

"At first, I loved this daughter dearly. She was soft and tender, born of my flesh and blood, naturally connected to me, and so similar to me. How could I not love her? But since learning that Lin Yi deceived me and recorded me as a concubine, making her a bastard daughter, I began to hate her. I even thought about letting her die first before following her. However, seeing her, I couldn't bear it. She was so young, having experienced nothing of the world. How could I take her life?"

"I loved her and hated her, and because she resembled Lin Yi, I struggled to face Yingxue for a long time. If I kept looking at her, I might have died. So I entrusted her to Aunt Ou and retreated to the small Buddhist hall to pray."

"Although Lin Yi treated her well, with a mother like me, her personality changed. I remember she used to be playful as a child, but over time, she became more focused on studying."

"Yingxue is a good girl, so obedient and understanding that it breaks my heart. Now that she has married you, I hope you treat her well."

Thinking of these words, Fu Jiaze's heart softened, and his tone became gentle. "Whatever fun things there are, I'll take you to experience them. Is there anything you want to eat? I remember Wanan loves candied haws and sugar paintings."

Lin Yingxue laughed. "I'm not a child anymore. Do you think I'd still be interested in those? You should focus on preparing for your exams, especially since you have a chance to enter the Imperial Academy. You should read more books."

Fu Jiaze looked at Lin Yingxue. "I assumed you missed out on some playtime growing up in the Lin residence."

Lin Yingxue replied, "In the past, no one gossiped about me in the Lin residence because my father treated me well. Before my elder brother left for his official post, he also treated me kindly. After I learned to read and write, I found books more interesting. They opened up a more splendid world. I didn't enjoy playing games with Lin Baozhen or the people from the Changqing Marquisate; their games seemed childish to me. Now, I just want to try new things because I rarely go out, not because I have a childlike heart like Wanan."

Fu Jiaze couldn't help but laugh.

"What's wrong?"

Fu Jiaze replied, "Actually, I was the same when I was young."

Initially, Fu Jiaze worried that Lin Yingxue might have psychological issues from her childhood, but now he realized she was similar to him. Since reading, she preferred the world within books and wanted to engage in intellectual exchanges rather than play childish games.

Lin Yingxue was curious. "What was your childhood like?"

Fu Jiaze lifted the carriage curtain. "I'll tell you later." He jumped out of the carriage and helped Lin Yingxue down.

Lin Yingxue smiled and stepped out holding her husband's hand.

"Sister and husband are so affectionate; it makes me envious."

A sarcastic voice interrupted them. The couple turned to see Lin Baozhen.

Xie Yuan stepped forward, embracing Lin Baozhen. "Bao'er, haven't I treated you well?"

Of course, Lin Baozhen was satisfied with her marriage before seeing Fu Jiaze and Lin Yingxue, but upon seeing them, she felt unsettled.

In her premonition dream, she never consummated her marriage with Fu Jiaze, and he didn't love her. Now, seeing Lin Yingxue smiling brightly, Lin Baozhen's heart raced.

Xie Yuan had received news that he needed to pay three thousand taels to Lin Yingxue as compensation. He didn't want to tell Lin Baozhen, but seeing her reaction, he sighed inwardly. If he had known Lin Baozhen's character earlier, he wouldn't have married her.

For the sake of children.

Xie Yuan repeated these words silently, blocking Lin Baozhen's view. "Father-in-law is waiting."

Indeed, Lin Yi and Wang Shi were waiting. Wang Shi's gaze was fixed on Lin Baozhen, while Lin Baozhen was focused on Fu Jiaze and Lin Yingxue.

Hearing her son-in-law mention her, Wang Shi couldn't help but approach and scrutinize her daughter. "How is your life?"

Lin Baozhen nodded confidently. "Very good. The Lord Marquis said he would submit my name to the imperial registry and request a title when he returns to court."

Xie Yuan, unaware that the title request had failed, smiled. "Bao'er is right. Please rest assured, Father-in-law and Mother-in-law. This is my top priority."

Lin Baozhen glanced at Fu Jiaze and Lin Yingxue, smiling faintly. "I wonder when Sister will receive a title."

Thinking about Lin Baozhen lacking a title, Lin Yingxue found it amusing. She replied, "It might take some time since my husband just passed the provincial exam."

Fu Jiaze bowed to Lin Yi. "I am young and inexperienced, and I have yet to establish a career. I am truly ashamed."

The word "young" felt like a slap to Xie Yuan's face. Suddenly, he understood why his wife was fixated on Fu Jiaze and Lin Yingxue.

It is truly nauseating.

Fu Jiaze said with a smile, "If Lord Marquis successfully petitions for the jade tablet, will you be hosting a banquet? As a brother-in-law, I should extend my congratulations."

"Of course," Lin Baozhen replied, "Lord Marquis, how about we hold the banquet at Tenglong Pavilion then?"

Xie Yuan had no objections and only addressed Fu Jiaze and Lin Yingxue, "When that time comes, please do ensure that my sister and brother-in-law attend."

Both Fu Jiaze and Lin Yingxue knew well that the banquet would not happen. The couple exchanged a glance and nodded with faint smiles.

This smile made Xie Yuan feel even more uneasy, and at this moment, he forgave Lin Baozhen's abruptness outside the Lin residence. After all, despite Fu Jiaze and Lin Yingxue's good looks, they truly made him feel uncomfortable deep down.