Chapter 88: The Control Group

Chapter 88: The Control Group

Fu Jiaze first enjoyed tea with the newly-minted scholars and attended his teacher's banquet in the evening. Meanwhile, Lin Yingxue was at home entertaining guests with Fu Heng. A servant informed them that the carriage from the Lin residence was waiting outside, with Master Lin Yi seated inside.

Fu Heng thought to herself that Lin Yi seemed overly eager, but then she recalled that today also saw the announcement of Fu Jiaze's assignment to an external post. Even if Lin Yi were as calm as a mountain, he would still have questions.

Fu Heng dismissed the visiting neighbors and went to the gate with Lin Yingxue to meet Lin Yi.

Lin Yi did not initially step down from the carriage, but upon seeing Fu Heng approach, he descended, clasping his hands together as a form of greeting.

Fu Heng smiled and stepped aside, "Father-in-law, why don't you come into the house?"

Lin Yi replied to Fu Heng, "Thank you for your kindness, Mother-in-law, but today is rare for my eldest daughter to return home, and it also happens to be the day when Jinyuan won the title of zhuangyuan. I wish to invite my daughter back to the house for a family reunion."

Fu Heng said, "Our Jinyuan has not returned yet today. Why don't we choose another day to visit with his wife?"

"Let Yingxue go back," Lin Yi said bluntly, "After all, Jinyuan must take up an external post, and he will likely have many affairs to attend to."

The last sentence was particularly cold.

Lin Yi felt that the man his second daughter married was even more distressing than the one his eldest daughter had married.

At least Wei Wuhou was of the Concubine Chen lineage and was currently at the height of his power. But Fu Jiaze was simply out of his mind, having already become the zhuangyuan, he insisted on going to a remote place to serve as a county magistrate.

Today, at the Honglu Temple, several people teased him about his son-in-law's ambition.

He would rather his second son-in-law lacked such ambition.

Seeing that Lin Yi was determined to take her back to the Lin residence, Lin Yingxue whispered to Fu Heng, "Your daughter will first accompany Father back to the Lin residence. I wish to drive the carriage back to my natal home."

Lin Yi directly said, "There's no need for such formalities between father and daughter. Yingxue, get into this carriage."

Lin Yingxue could only say, "Father, please go ahead."

Once Lin Yi boarded the carriage, Lin Yingxue lifted the curtain and entered.

Feiyan, who followed, rolled up the carriage curtain, allowing the golden light of the setting sun to pour in.

The golden light enveloped half of Lin Yi's face, casting the other half in shadow. He scolded Lin Yingxue, "Why didn't you persuade your husband about his external posting? After working so hard to become the zhuangyuan, he listens to his teacher and goes to serve as a mere county magistrate in a remote area?"

Lin Yingxue thought that Fu Jiaze was not being misled; he wanted to take the external post and had his own ambitions and plans.

But Lin Yingxue did not want to explain herself to him. What good would it do to speak clearly to Lin Yi?

Lin Yingxue lowered her eyes, leaning back slightly to hide her cheeks in the darkness, speaking slowly and softly, "As a wife, how can I advise my husband on matters of his career? Over the years, Mother rarely interfered in Father's official affairs."

Lin Yi couldn't help but think of Wen Hui.

Wen Hui indeed did not interfere, but he himself eagerly shared news with her, while Wang Shi knew everything from the beginning.

Wen Hui was not his primary wife, but Wang Shi was.

Now that Lin Yingxue was a primary wife, why was she so weak?

Lin Yi said to Lin Yingxue, "You are his primary wife. As they say, husband and wife are one. You should not only inquire about his affairs but also be a virtuous helper. When he says he wants to earn a noble title for you, is this how he plans to do it?"

"Big Sister doesn't have a noble title, so it doesn't matter whether I have one or not."

Lin Yi thought, could it be the same? Wei Wuhou is now the Minister of Justice. If not for his lack of interest in political economy, who knows if the position of Minister of Revenue would have gone to someone else.

Moreover, such a powerful figure as Wei Wuhou was very attentive to Lin Baozhen.

When Lin Baozhen became pregnant, Wei Wuhou personally visited the previous night, asking about her food preferences and wanting to learn some dishes from the Lin household's chef.

Lin Yi said irritably, "You are truly naive. Living like this carelessly, you'll have plenty to cry about once you reach Tongwu County."

Lin Yingxue was determined to go to Tongwu County but pretended to ponder, responding slowly, "My husband said the external posting is arduous, especially since it's near the border. Even with General Jian stationed there, the Di people remain relentless, and spies often infiltrate Great Qi's territory. I don't need to go."

If Lin Yingxue doesn't go, wouldn't Wen Hui stay in the capital?

That day, Pei Jin stood beside Wen Hui, both of them appearing as clear as the wind and moon. However, Lin Yi was certain that Pei Jin, who had a deceased wife with a poor character, would always be cautious around any woman. He must have intentions toward Wen Hui.

Lin Yi said firmly, "No, although I dislike Jinyuan's external posting, it is a fact. How can you not go to Tongwu County?"

Lin Yingxue replied, "But Tongwu County is remote, and with the merger of three counties, the people below might be restless. It won't be easy for the county magistrate."

"If it's difficult, you should go even more. What are you worried about? If your mother-in-law can't go because of business, take your birth mother with you."

Lin Yingxue suddenly looked up at Lin Yi, making him feel uneasy. But he quickly added, "I'm doing this for your own good. As a young woman, you lack experience. Having your birth mother there can help you."

Lin Yingxue remained silent, and Lin Yi continued to talk incessantly about the benefits of taking Wen Hui along.

"Do you hear me?"

Fortunately, the distance between the two residences was not far, and Lin Yingxue heard what sounded like a heavenly voice, "Master, Miss, we have arrived."

Lin Yi's final words did not require a response.

/

Returning to the Lin residence, the sun was setting, leaving a lingering golden glow that refused to depart. This last ray of light made the already candle-lit Lin residence appear even redder and brighter.

"Fortunately, you didn't go out yesterday. I told you, during the first two months of pregnancy, the fetus is not yet stable."

Lin Yingxue heard these words before entering the main hall. As she crossed the threshold, she saw Lin Baozhen nestled in Wang Shi's arms.

Lin Baozhen, who had been listening to her mother, straightened up upon seeing Lin Yingxue.

She had tried to avoid Lin Yingxue, never expecting to see her again.

Lin Yingxue, the newly-minted wife of the zhuangyuan, wore a crimson Baohxiang skirt to match her husband's red robe. Her top was a delicate apricot-colored cross-collar paired with a peach-red half-sleeve, and her hairpins were adorned with bright coral beads.

Mrs. Wang was also sizing up Lin Yingxue, her red attire making her even more fitting to her name, as if she were a beauty amidst the snow.

"Our Lady Zhuangyuan has returned," Mrs. Wang said with a smile. "Yesterday, your father wanted to send for you, but it turned out that the servant encountered some issues and couldn't get away, so he didn't bring you back. It's quite coincidental that you've returned today, just when both daughters are home."

Lin Yingxue felt warmth in her heart upon hearing Mrs. Wang's words, guessing that her mother-in-law must have used some means yesterday. On such a good day, her mother-in-law hadn't given Lin Yi the chance to invite her back.

Lin Yi spoke slowly, "Wei Wuhou has many affairs to attend to. He only sent Baozhen back to her natal home and will come to pick her up tonight."

Lin Baozhen smiled, "With child in my belly, Lord Marquis is naturally cautious. Do you have any good news, Second Sister?"

Lin Yingxue replied, "My good news today is that my husband won the title of Zhuangyuan. As for pregnancy, there isn't any yet. I hope you will bear a son, Sister."

"Speaking of the Zhuangyuan, why did Brother-in-Law choose an external posting?" Lin Baozhen covered her mouth with a laugh, "To that place called Tongwu County."

Ever since Mrs. Wang learned about Tongwu County, she had been uneasy, thinking that even if Fu Jiaze had good fortune to win the title of Zhuangyuan, he would still die in that county.

At this moment, Mrs. Wang said, "The Emperor should have ordered County Magistrate Fu to take office within three months. Although three months seems ample, much preparation is needed. I fear that for the next period, Yingxue will be very busy."

Lin Baozhen laughed, "Mother, my sister might not want to go to Tongwu County. After all, it's a remote and uncivilized place, how can it compare to the comfort of the capital?"

Lin Yingxue suddenly understood the purpose of her return to her natal home today. Whether it was Lin Yi, Mrs. Wang, or Lin Baozhen, they all hoped she would leave with Fu Jiaze for Tongwu County soon.

Mrs. Wang and Lin Baozhen wished for her to suffer in such a place, while Lin Yi had different intentions, hoping she would take their mother with her.

As the last golden light of sunset faded, the oil lamps in the room lit up. The Lin family used crystal palace lanterns with thick wicks, casting bright flames, and with many of them, the entire room was well-lit, allowing Lin Yingxue to clearly see the expressions on everyone's faces.

Lin Yingxue originally wanted to stubbornly say that she and Fu Jiaze had already made their decision and that it was none of their business.

But then she thought, Lin Baozhen couldn't do anything to her, but Lin Yi and Mrs. Wang, relying on their seniority, could frequently summon her back to her natal home, which would be unbearable.

Thinking this, Lin Yingxue no longer remained silent as she had in the carriage. She said, "Jinyuan and I have agreed that I will stay in the capital for the first few months. Once things in Tongwu County are settled, at the latest by the New Year, I will go to Tongwu County."

Upon hearing Lin Yingxue's words, the three of them all breathed a sigh of relief. Lin Yi, however, was somewhat displeased. In the carriage earlier, Lin Yingxue hadn't said this. Was she pretending to be foolish then?

Lin Yi said coolly, "It's getting late, let's eat."

Mrs. Wang quickly added, "That's right, Baozhen is pregnant and cannot miss mealtime."

After everyone ate together, Wei Wuhou came to pick up Lin Baozhen. As Lin Baozhen was leaving, Lin Yingxue took the opportunity to bid farewell, and they all left the Lin family's gate together.

Wei Wuhou's carriage was waiting outside the Lin residence. Xie Yuan whispered a few words to Lin Baozhen, who nodded. Then, Xie Yuan bowed and smiled, "Yesterday, she wouldn't eat or drink, which worried me greatly. Today, I boldly asked my father-in-law to lend us his chef for a few days."

Xie Yuan had already invited a chef to learn how to cook dishes to Lin Baozhen's taste, which would take a few days at most. Now, it seemed Wei Wuhou didn't want to wait those few days.

Mrs. Wang immediately said, "That's a good idea."

Lin Yi also nodded slightly.

Lin Yingxue looked at Lin Baozhen, realizing that Wei Wuhou truly pampered his young wife as much as her name suggested. Perhaps this was the reason her elder sister chose Wei Wuhou.

Just then, the sound of hooves was heard, and someone was riding over. The rider on the tall horse was none other than Fu Jiaze.

Though he had changed out of his Zhuangyuan robes, the saying 'joy brings vigor' held true. Even in this deep blue round-collar robe, he exuded a radiant charm.

Seeing him, Lin Yingxue's eyes curved into a smile. From Fu Jiaze's perspective, he could see that his wife, who had been somewhat troubled, instantly brightened up, her almond eyes like a starry night sky.

Lin Yingxue couldn't help but step forward, "Why did you come here?"

Fu Jiaze, stepping under the moonlight, shone like a pearl, stunning Lin Baozhen, who instinctively glanced at Xie Yuan beside her.

Xie Yuan, having drunk a little wine, had a ruddy face and a shiny forehead. Lin Baozhen noticed that, although Wei Wuhou, as a military general, wasn't slender-waisted, he had broad shoulders and a narrow waist. Now, Xie Yuan's belly was slightly protruding, and his hair was thinning.

Noticing Lin Baozhen's gaze, Xie Yuan smiled at her.