Too Late

The side hall had been prepared in advance, with a low table and a pair of futons.

There was a small stove burning charcoal next to the table. There was no water boiling on the stove, but there were tea sets on the table.

With the small stove, it was much warmer inside than outside.

As soon as Lin Yunwan entered, she rubbed her hands together. The Jade Pendant in her hand was a little cooler than when she had put it in her sleeve.

Qi Lingheng explained to her, "I had the Jade Pendant delivered to your residence."

Lin Yunwan asked, "Then I must thank Your Prince for your kindness."

"That's not necessary."

Qi Lingheng said, "My pawnshop doesn't accept such things. Whoever pawned it, it will be returned to its rightful owner."

Lin Yunwan looked into his eyes and said, "Your Prince, have you used the wrong allusion? 'Returning the jade intact to Zhao'—you should return it to the Duke Xingguo's Residence, not to me."

He was clearly trying to help her, but he wouldn't admit it.

Are you afraid of trouble?

If he was afraid of trouble, he's already gotten himself into a lot of trouble because of the Lin Family.

Of course, for someone of his high status, the Lin Family's affairs were not a major problem.

However, offending the Duke Xingguo's Residence is not a simple matter, as there is still a Crown Prince who is at odds with him.

"It seems that Madam is determined to get to the bottom of this today."

Qi Lingheng chuckled.

Lin Yunwan did not deny that she really did not want to be a fool.

Qi Lingheng had no choice but to tell the truth, "At first, I did consider who should return this Jade Pendant to."

Compared to the Lin Family, it seems more worthwhile for him to win over the Duke Xingguo's Residence.

Any normal person would think this way--

Suddenly someone pushed open the door to the side hall.

Lin Yunwan was startled when she heard the sound. Although there were maids present, if someone saw her, it would be difficult to explain.

A Fu came in, carrying a water jug and a thick cloak tucked under his arm.

Seeing Lin Yunwan's expression, he smiled apologetically and bowed, saying, "Oh, did this servant frighten Madam?"

Lin Yunwan what she was holding and said, "This servant has come to deliver something."

Lin Yunwan realized it too and breathed a sigh of relief.

A Fu came over to boil water, handed the cloak over with both hands, and said to Qi Lingheng, "Your Prince, you left in such a hurry, I was afraid you would be cold."

Qi Lingheng didn't feel cold and said to A Fu, "You take it first."

A Fu, holding the cloak, bent over and served him.

Now that there was water, Qi Lingheng said to Lin Yunwan, "Please sit down, Madam."

The two sat facing each other like monks chanting sutras.

A Fu waited until the water boiled before putting down his cloak to make tea for the two of them.

Lin Yunwan closed her eyes as soon as she smelled the aroma. "... It's Lu'an tea."

Qi Lingheng nodded. "The tea that the teacher drinks most often."

Lin Yunwan recalled her father's story with a faint smile, "Father said that Lu'an tea was good for the eyes, because scholars suffer from both mental and visual impairment. Actually, he liked the taste of Longjing tea the most, but he always drank Lu'an melon seed tea, saying it was good for his eyes."

"When I was little, I would read books for a long time, and he would also make me drink Lu'an tea."

"Once, I discovered that my father was secretly drinking a different tea. I thought it was Longjing, so I took a sip when he wasn't looking, but it turned out to be neither Lu'an nor Longjing."

Qi Lingheng asked, "What is it?"

Lin Yunwan deepened. "What you wouldn't expect, Your Prince, is sweet water."

Qi Lingheng laughed along, "It seems the Grand Tutor's favorite things are neither Lu'an nor Longjing."

Lin Yunwan nodded.

Although her father was well-read, he was not at all pedantic; on the contrary, he often acted like a child.

Even during the years her father was ill, she retained a childlike innocence and optimism.

A Fu poured tea and handed it to the two of them.

Qi Lingheng examined the tea, lowered his eyes, and said, "Madam, you may not know, but the Grand Tutor also told me that I should drink tea that is good for the eyes."

"I have had many tutors, but only your father dared to discuss with me anything beyond the Four Books and Five Classics."

"Like my wife, seeing Lu'an tea reminds me of Grand Tutor Lin."

Therefore, when he sees someone who looks serious and never smiles, but is actually very kind and approachable in private, he thinks of Grand Tutor Lin.

Lin Yunwan was surprised.

She knew that Prince Huan respected and loved her father, but she didn't know that Prince Huan remembered her father so clearly.

Qi Lingheng knew she was surprised.

There were many more things she didn't know, such as how her father was incredibly bold, even daring to go to his father's Imperial Father to plead for peace when he and his Imperial Father were ignoring each other.

However, he didn't need to explain these things to her in too much detail.

"Madam, you don't know, but I have something I deeply regret."

Lin Yunwan frowned. "Is it related to my father?"

Qi Lingheng nodded, a hint of sadness in his voice. "The Grand Tutor passed away just as I was leaving the capital, and I didn't even have time to offer my condolences."

Everyone dies eventually. He knew that the Grand Tutor was seriously ill and would one day suddenly pass away.

He also knew that even his Imperial Father, was powerless to reverse the situation.

I just happened to miss the Grand Tutor's funeral and couldn't see him off, so I still feel a little regretful.

Lin Yunwan remained silent for a moment, then said with great gratitude, "Thank you for remembering my father, Your Prince."

"When my father was alive, he also valued the Prince... If he knew of your intentions in the afterlife, he would be very happy."

Unfortunately, death extinguishes all, and these things are only known to the living.

Qi Lingheng returned to the matter of the Jade Pendant: "Since the Members of the Lin clan has negotiated a divorce with the Wuding Marquis Residence, this Jade Pendant must not fall into the hands of the Duke Xingguo's Residence under any circumstances."

He whispered, "If your father were still alive, he wouldn't have put you in such a dangerous situation."

For the sake of Grand Tutor Lin, he wouldn't harm her.

Lin Yunwan felt a surge of heat coursing through her internal organs.

It turns out the Prince helped her because of her father. Her father had been dead for so many years, yet the Prince still helped her mother!

She felt unworthy of it.

Lin Yunwan rose and bowed, saying solemnly, "Your Prince, thank you."

Her gratitude was genuine, and her eyes shone with a gentle light.

Qi Lingheng smiled slightly, "It's nothing. My lady, please don't be so polite with me."

Lin Yunwan sat down again, wanting to drink some tea before leaving.

She was a married woman and could not spend time in private with a man of a different surname. Although Prince Huan was her benefactor, she was still somewhat uneasy.

Qi Lingheng knew her concerns and didn't want to make things difficult for her.

We should see this through to the end, otherwise his efforts would have been in vain.

He put down his teacup and said solemnly, "If Madam doesn't mind my meddling, please allow me to ask a question."

Lin Yunwan lowered her head and said politely, "Please speak, Your Prince."

"If you, Madam, are willing to divorce, why not borrow the Jade Pendant —to leave this filthy place cleanly?"

Anyone with eyes can see what kind of people the Lu family are.

Although they are greedy and despicable, it is precisely because of this that we can exploit their weaknesses and make them give in.

After careful consideration, Qi Lingheng said, "Madam, delay may lead to unforeseen circumstances; a swift resolution is the best course of action."

It's hard to say what malicious thoughts the Lu family might have towards her, or even take her life.

Taking advantage of the current crisis facing the Lu family, she can extricate herself through divorce. If she returns to the Lin Family later, the Members of the Lin clan will not force her to her death.

This is her only way to survive.

He knew that Lin Yunwan must harbor resentment, so he said, "If there's anything you can't let go of, Madam, you can deal with it after you leave the Lu family."

Lin Yunwan forced a smile and shook her head, "Your Prince, it's too late."