Chapter 052 Conflict with Lin Baozhen

Chapter 052 Conflict with Lin Baozhen

On the day of Winter Solstice, many people chose to offer incense at Baifeng Temple. At the foot of the mountain, numerous stalls were set up; some sold incense to attract customers, while others sold various blessed artifacts.

Whenever Fu Wanan arrived at such lively places, she would become particularly lively. Lin Yingxue, fearing that she might lose her, always followed closely behind.

Lin Yingxue originally wore a hood, but due to the heat from constantly following Fu Wanan, she loosened the ties around her neck and removed the fur-lined hood, revealing her fair and beautiful face.

This scene was seen by Xie Jingzhi.

In Xie Jingzhi's study, there was a portrait he had painted, depicting the moment when Lin Yingxue's veil was lifted on their wedding day.

The bride, clutching a Ruyi fruit, had her veil lifted, her expression tinged with a hint of astonishment. Her full lips were slightly open, and her eyes, brimming with joy, betrayed a trace of surprise.

The woman in the portrait was vivid and lifelike, which Xie Jingzhi considered his best work.

Today, Lin Yingxue appeared taller and her cheeks less full compared to their last meeting. She no longer looked like an unadorned maiden, now using light makeup, adding color to her appearance. Although it wasn't as radiant as on their wedding day, she still exuded a gentle charm.

A gust of wind blew, causing her hair to scatter slightly. She reached out to smooth it, adding a touch of matronly grace.

Xie Jingzhi felt a pang of bitterness. This allure could only be given by her husband.

Lin Baozhen watched Xie Jingzhi, biting her lip unconsciously before turning to leave.

But before she could go far, she felt Xie Jingzhi grab her wrist.

Lin Baozhen's heart skipped a beat, feeling a mix of joy and sadness. These conflicting emotions made her turn back, "Lord Xie..."

Xie Jingzhi's impression of this young stepmother had changed over time. In the past, he saw Lin Baozhen as relentless and domineering, but now, perhaps through better understanding, he saw her as charming and not annoying, but rather lively and adorable.

Thinking about it, maybe this was why his father married her; his father had better judgment than him.

If he hadn't been captivated by Lin Yingxue's beauty...

Xie Jingzhi quickly suppressed these thoughts, hiding them completely.

With a smile, he said gently, "I shouldn't have looked at her. She is already married and living well. That's enough. It was just a youthful infatuation."

"You're still young," Lin Baozhen whispered, "Besides, who you look at has nothing to do with me." Her tone rose slightly, carrying a hint of playful complaint.

"As your stepson, it does matter," Xie Jingzhi replied, "If I did anything inappropriate, please guide me."

Lin Baozhen's sadness deepened, blurting out, "It's just..."

Before she could finish, she swallowed her words.

Both knew what she meant to say.

Just a stepmother?

This topic was veering towards danger, as if delving deeper would drag both into hell. Xie Jingzhi didn't want to think further and said, "Let's greet Lady Lin. Perhaps she came here with Miss Fu for blessings."

Hearing "we," Lin Baozhen felt a sweetness in her heart and agreed.

Xie Jingzhi held Lin Baozhen's wrist, drawing little attention since many couples were here for blessings.

Old Lady Ma Ruolan, Xie Jingzhi, and Lin Baozhen all came out on this day because Ma Ruolan had heard from Zeng Xiu that seeking blessings on Winter Solstice was effective, leading to Yan Ji's birth.

Yan Ji, beloved by the emperor for his cuteness, was well-raised, making Ma Ruolan eager for a similar blessing. Since Yongning Marquis Mansion once sought blessings here, Wei Wu Hou Mansion could too.

Lin Baozhen had been married to Wei Wu Hou for a short time, but Ma Ruolan was desperate for a grandchild, so she brought her daughter-in-law and grandson to pray.

Due to the cold wind, Ma Ruolan needed to use someone else's toilet, leaving Lin Baozhen and Xie Jingzhi waiting in the market, where they encountered Lin Yingxue and Fu Wanan.

Approaching Lin Yingxue and Fu Wanan, Lin Yingxue took out some copper coins and said something to Fu Wanan, who then bought a skewer of sugar-coated haws.

Seeing Xie Jingzhi and Lin Baozhen, Lin Yingxue paused, her gaze shifting to their wrists.

Her heart raced, shocked that a stepmother and stepson would hold hands in public.

She wondered if her elder sister married Xie Yuan because of lingering feelings for Xie Jingzhi, disguising it as a marriage to Xie Yuan while secretly seeing Xie Jingzhi.

Since they were holding hands, it wouldn't be long before...

This thought was too scandalous, changing Lin Yingxue's expression.

Xie Jingzhi realized he was still holding Lin Baozhen's wrist and quickly let go.

Lin Baozhen stepped forward, calmly scanning Lin Yingxue, "Long time no see, Second Sister, and Miss Fu."

Noticing Fu Wanan's skewer of sugar-coated haws, she sneered, "Miss Fu is still as silly as ever, almost like a fool, drooling over those haws."

Fu Wanan was taken aback, remembering her manners and turned to bite a haw instead.

Feeling wronged, Fu Wanan wondered why Lin Baozhen spoke to her like that.

Lin Yingxue, not hearing clearly what Lin Baozhen said, guessed it wasn't kind. She frowned and stood in front of Fu Wanan, "Lady Hou, what brings you here? It's odd not seeing Lord Hou, but seeing you with Lord Xie. One might mistake you for a loving couple."

"Nonsense!" Ma Ruolan walked over, hearing Lin Yingxue's words, her face darkening, "Baozhen is your elder sister and our Lady Hou. How dare you speak so disrespectfully!"

"Mother," Lin Baozhen held Ma Ruolan's arm, "Let's not argue. Are you feeling better?"

"Grandmother," Xie Jingzhi added.

Lin Yingxue smiled faintly, "My elder sister always liked Lord Xie. They looked like a perfect pair just now. Old Lady Ma should watch them closely. I saw them holding hands."

"I was holding my stepmother by the sleeve out of urgency." Xie Jingzhi quickly explained to his grandmother, "Because my stepmother was just angry with me. As they say, different people see things differently. I thought Second Miss Lin looked clear and bright, but never expected her thoughts to be so filthy, misinterpreting the relationship between my stepmother and me."

Ma Ruolan knew that Lin Baozhen had a temper. In the Weiwu Marquis Mansion, her son Xie Yuan often indulged Lin Baozhen.

Once, she saw Lin Baozhen storming off in anger while her son held her hand, refusing to let her go. The scene became so intense that the sweeping maids covered their faces and left. Xie Yuan then grabbed Lin Baozhen's slender waist, and her fists rained down on him. What followed was even more shocking; Xie Yuan pulled her to the corner and kissed her against the wall.

Ma Ruolan recalled that incident, her eyelids twitching as she looked at Lin Baozhen.

Lin Baozhen said, "Mother, I felt very unlucky seeing this second sister."

Ma Ruolan also found Lin Yingxue's words detestable. Thinking about how her son and Lin Baozhen could kiss in broad daylight, it was unlikely that her grandson would have any inappropriate relationship with Lin Baozhen.

"Indeed unlucky. For Lord Lin to have such a daughter is truly unfortunate."

Three months had passed, and Lin Yi was now a Fourth Rank Director of the Board of Rites.

Due to familial ties, Lin Yingxue and Fu Jiaze reluctantly went to the Lin residence to offer congratulations and attend a feast.

Lin Yingxue thought, having such a father was truly unlucky. She said, "Wanan and I won't disturb everyone further. Let's go, Wanan."

Fu Wanan glanced at her remaining candied haws, biting one and tossing the other at Lin Baozhen, sticking it to her clothes.

Lin Baozhen had specially prepared this outfit for the visit to Baifeng Temple, adorned with exquisite Buddhist Eight Treasures embroidery. Seeing Fu Wanan throw the candy at her, she became furious, her face contorting. "Fu! Wanan! What are you doing?"

Seeing Lin Baozhen's anger, Fu Wanan became smug, making a face at her. "Who told you I look unintelligent? You're the dumb one. With such big candies, I paused before throwing them, yet you didn't dodge."

Ma Ruolan saw Lin Baozhen about to raise her hand and quickly held her back. "No!"

Lin Yingxue noticed the candy still stuck to Lin Baozhen's dress and said to Fu Wanan, "My sister insulted you, and you threw candy at her. Do you think that evens things out?"

Fu Wanan nodded. "It does."

"If it evens things out, then it's settled," Lin Yingxue put on her hood, holding Fu Wanan's hand. "Elder sister, words can cause trouble. If Wanan thinks it's even, we should leave it at that. Otherwise..."

Ma Ruolan covered Lin Baozhen's mouth and said to Lin Yingxue, "Lady Lin, please go ahead and pray. I've heard the incense here is very effective. You must be here to pray for offspring. May your wishes come true."

Lin Yingxue wasn't there to pray for children; she was simply bringing Fu Wanan to join the festivities. Without explaining, she led Fu Wanan away.

Once Lin Yingxue and Fu Wanan left, Ma Ruolan whispered, "Even if Fu Wanan looks unintelligent, you shouldn't say it to her face. Aren't you afraid of her uncle?"

Isn't it just Fu Bin, the eunuch destined to lose the emperor's favor due to his incompetence?

Lin Baozhen hated not remembering what exactly Fu Bin did wrong. If only she could recall, she could expedite that event and make Fu Bin lose the emperor's trust, leaving that little fool without support!

Xie Jingzhi said, "Mother, don't argue with a fool. I can tell she isn't very smart. Let's see who she ends up marrying."

Lin Baozhen remembered Fu Wanan's fate from her dream, her expression twisted. In the dream, Fu Wanan's misfortune was due to her own negligence. Would Lin Yingxue be negligent? If Fu Wanan remained safe, wouldn't she live better than in the dream?

From then on, Lin Baozhen kept plotting mischief.

Since Ma Ruolan's stomach was already uncomfortable and she wanted to avoid running into Lin Yingxue and Fu Wanan, she continued browsing the small market.

Meanwhile, Lin Yingxue encountered Lady Zeng Xiu of the Yongning Marquis Mansion and the well-wrapped, adorable Yan Ji on the mountain.