Chapter 99: The White Jade Guanyin Statue

Chapter 99: The White Jade Guanyin Statue

Upon hearing her brother’s words, Lin Baozhen felt as if a cooling patch had been applied to her scalp on a scorching summer day, sending a chill from the top of her head down to the bottom of her spine.

Lin Baozhen's marriage had been a complete failure, and no one around her envied her. She believed she had made the right choice, but still felt somewhat aggrieved. Now, with her brother’s affirmation, she felt elated.

"Brother, do you really mean it?"

Lin Zongfei looked at his sister with eyes so soft they seemed to be brimming with water. "I only know that Wei Wuhou is at the peak of his power, having taken the path of Concubine Chen. I thought anyone who got close to Wei Wuhou would reap great benefits, but I didn’t realize you were his Lady. Sister, you truly have good judgment. Seeing your good complexion, I can tell you must be living well."

Hearing these flattering words, Lin Baozhen could sense the sincerity in her brother’s voice and a smile bloomed on her face. "Indeed, Lord Marquis loves me dearly. Everyone in the household revolves around me."

Lin Zongfei nodded. "Sister, you are still so innocent and carefree, clearly well-protected by your husband."

Wang Shi’s lips twitched. She wished Lin Baozhen would be more sensible and not so "innocent and carefree."

However, overall, Wang Shi’s expression relaxed as she listened to the conversation between the siblings. Ever since the news of Wen Hui’s remarriage spread, their family had been in turmoil.

Fortunately, the eldest son had arrived at this moment, bringing auspicious omens. If the omen was well-received, he might even stay in the capital.

Wang Shi hoped the emperor would favor the white jade Guanyin statue.

Lin Zongfei continued, "The second sister’s marriage is far from ideal. Although she passed the imperial examination, she was assigned to some remote place called Tongwu County, which I’ve never heard of."

"Indeed, it’s very remote," Lin Baozhen said with a smile. "She treats the county magistrate like a treasure. This morning, she went out of her way to see him off, despite causing quite a bit of trouble. Father didn’t even tell her about your return, but she appeared at the city gate by chance. How unlucky, Father fell ill because of all the trouble she caused. When Father sees her later, he will likely get angry again."

Lin Zongfei hadn’t expected so many changes at home and felt that his father was too emotionally attached. Wen Hui was just a concubine, yet he was so worried about her.

And what about himself? Even though he had once been harmonious with Yu Shi, he had let her go when necessary.

Just as he was thinking about Yu Shi, Wang Shi asked, "What about Yu Shi? Why didn’t she inform the family about such a significant matter?"

Thinking of his late wife Yu Shi, Lin Zongfei sighed. "I couldn’t bring any bad luck on this trip to deliver the auspicious omen, so I only informed my father-in-law."

Thinking of the auspicious omen her son was bringing, Wang Shi remained silent, feeling sorry for Yu Shi.

The carriage procession arrived at the Lin residence, where the servants had already removed the threshold to allow the convoy to enter.

Lin Yi, leaning on his beast-headed cane, came to greet his son. Upon seeing Lin Yingxue, his face darkened, but he ignored her and said to his son, "Why have you returned?"

"I have come to deliver the auspicious omen to the palace. I need to freshen up before entering the palace."

Lin Yi knew that entering the palace was important and immediately said, "Go and freshen up quickly."

Lin Zongfei turned to Wan Xiuer and said, "Xiuer, show the white jade Guanyin statue to my family."

Wan Xiuer frowned slightly.

Lin Zongfei explained, "My elder sister is married to Wei Wuhou."

Wan Xiuer smiled. "Husband, go freshen up. I’ll take the family to see the white jade Guanyin statue."

Lin Yi looked at Wan Xiuer, and Wang Shi quickly intervened, "This is our son’s concubine, Wan Xiuer."

Lin Yi found Wan Xiuer to be extremely impolite, but Wang Shi nudged his arm and whispered, "Xiuer once saved our son."

Lin Yi’s frown eased, and he no longer held her rudeness against her.

Lin Yi wasn’t in a hurry to see the Guanyin statue. Instead, he leaned on his beast-headed cane and approached Lin Yingxue. "Why have you returned?"

Wang Shi pulled her aside. "She is here to see her husband off to his new post. They happened to meet at the city gate, so we decided to have a meal together."

Lin Yingxue replied composedly, "Daughter has come to welcome her elder brother’s return."

Wang Shi lowered her voice. "It’s a good day; there’s no need to be upset with her. Wait and see what auspicious omen it is. From what our son said, he might stay in the capital after delivering it."

For Lin Zongfei’s sake, Lin Yi reluctantly suppressed his dislike for his youngest daughter.

Wan Xiuer had already had the white jade Guanyin statue brought out. The statue was placed in a box filled with cotton to prevent damage during the journey.

When the box was opened, the white jade and cotton were so similar in color that it was hard to see where the Guanyin statue was.

Wan Xiuer took a red cloth and carefully lifted the white jade Guanyin statue, allowing everyone to see it clearly.

Lin Baozhen and Lin Yingxue both gasped in shock.

The Guanyin statue on the red velvet was intricately carved, and from every angle, it seemed to be watching over them. The woman’s beauty was extraordinary, with a compassionate and benevolent expression, and her hair was meticulously detailed.

But that wasn’t the most shocking part. Both sisters were stunned because they had both seen the former Yongning Marquise, now known as Concubine Chen, and the white jade Guanyin statue bore an uncanny resemblance to her.

Lin Baozhen drew a sharp breath and clutched her stomach. Wan Xiuer was not surprised by Lin Baozhen’s reaction; as Wei Wuhou’s wife, it was natural for her to have seen Concubine Chen. She watched Lin Yingxue closely.

Due to Lin Baozhen’s sudden movement, the family was in an uproar.

Lin Yingxue, however, turned to Wan Xiuer and said, "Auntie Wan, do you know who this Guanyin statue resembles?"

Wan Xiuer, of course, knew, but she replied, "What do you mean, Second Sister? This is just a Guanyin statue, albeit exceptionally beautiful and ethereal. It emerged from the earth after the rain, so it was brought to the capital. Who else could it resemble?"

Lin Baozhen had already grabbed her mother’s arm. "Mother, it looks like Concubine Chen! No, it’s exactly like Concubine Chen."

Lin Yi reacted quickly. Not knowing the origin of the statue, he immediately asked, "What do you mean by ‘emerged from the earth’?"

Wang Shi explained the circumstances, while Wan Xiuer carefully placed the white jade Guanyin statue back in the box.

Lin Yi, upon learning that the statue had emerged from the earth and resembled Concubine Chen, and that it had surfaced on her birthday, felt a surge of excitement. He turned to Lin Yingxue and asked, "You have also met Concubine Chen. Does it look like her?"

Lin Yingxue nodded, looking at the white jade Guanyin statue with a furrowed brow.

In the previous dynasty, emperors favored auspicious omens, leading people to create false ones to gain favor. Lin Yingxue’s first thought upon hearing about the omen was that it had been fabricated.

It was just after the rain, when many officials were admiring the scenery at Lin Zongfei’s residence, and everyone saw it together. How was this accomplished?

Moreover, due to her status as a widow, He Lanting rarely went out, and few people had seen her. How could Lin Zongfei, who was far away in Jiang Nan, know the appearance of Concubine Chen?

Since she couldn’t figure it out, Lin Yingxue stopped thinking about it. After all, this matter didn’t concern her much, but she suddenly felt a bit sorry for her husband.

To serve such an emperor...

Such thoughts were indeed somewhat disrespectful, and Lin Yingxue didn’t dare to think too deeply, so she simply cleared her mind.

Wan Xiuer looked at Lin Yingxue’s expression, smiled lightly, and continued with her actions.

Lin Yi and Lady Wang were both overjoyed and quickly had someone examine Lin Baozhen.

Once Lin Baozhen stabilized, Lin Zongfei also changed into a new set of clothes. He took out the box again, carefully packed the white jade Guanyin statue, and bid farewell to the people in the mansion.

Lin Yi, holding the beast-headed cane, stepped forward, “I will go with you.”

Lin Zongfei hesitated for a moment, then said with a smile, “That would be good. My son is young and might make mistakes before the emperor. It’s best to have his father there.”

Lin Yi and Lin Zongfei went to the palace, and Lin Yi’s dejection vanished, appearing spirited and vigorous.

/

Everyone in the Lin household knew that this visit to the palace would certainly end well. Lady Wang, remembering something, discreetly dismissed everyone and spoke to her daughter alone, “Don’t you remember your brother’s promotion? Even if you don’t know other things, how could you not know about your brother?”

“In my dream, this definitely didn’t happen. Even your sister-in-law should still be alive. If she had died, she would have told me,” Lin Baozhen said firmly. “Now that you mention it, I do remember someone presenting an auspicious sign, and that person was promoted and stayed in the capital city.”

Lady Wang thought for a moment and could only say, “Perhaps your luck has improved, bringing prosperity to your brother as well.”

Lin Baozhen’s eyes widened.

Seeing her daughter’s confusion, Lady Wang smiled and said, “Look at your brother, who can present an auspicious sign, which is closely related to Concubine Chen. Your brother will likely stay in the capital.”

Lin Baozhen suddenly understood, “Unfortunately, it hasn’t brought any benefit to Father.”

To Lady Wang, even if Wen Hui’s incident hadn’t happened, Lin Yi would have reached the position of Minister of Rites at most. It sounded impressive, but in reality, it was a position of little importance.

Lady Wang hoped for her husband’s promotion, but she wasn’t particularly concerned. However, her son’s success was different. Being so young, he had endless possibilities.

Her son presented an auspicious sign related to Concubine Chen, and her daughter married Wei Wuhou, who had a close connection to Concubine Chen. This time, it could thoroughly establish her son as part of Concubine Chen’s faction.

The number of people on Concubine Chen’s side was pitifully small. Joining early would mean a quicker promotion.

Lady Wang felt somewhat excited. She now truly believed that her eldest daughter had married well. Looking at Lin Baozhen, her gaze was soft and tender.

Lin Baozhen got goosebumps from her mother’s gaze, “Mother, why are you looking at me like that?”

Lady Wang whispered, “I just feel that you are truly blessed. Tonight, tell Lord Marquis to find some time to have dinner with your brother, to give him more support.”

“Of course,” Lin Baozhen said proudly, “Lord Marquis has already told me. Although he doesn’t know why my brother came to the capital, he will definitely support him. He even said he would cancel his dinner plans tonight to come home for a meal.”

“Good, good, good,” Lady Wang stroked Lin Baozhen’s belly, “Also, you mustn’t be so jumpy. You’re going to be a mother soon, and you need to be more composed. Take care of this child.”

The relationship between Lady Wang and Lin Baozhen was more harmonious than ever.