The Booklets

"Sir, Madam brought Yun Jiao 'Yun Jiao clothes over for me to wear. But they're all too small for me, I really can't wear them."

Lin Yunwan didn't mince words; she went straight to Lin Huabin's study and spoke frankly.

Lin Huabin blushed at first, but seeing Lin Yunwan's open and calm demeanor, he couldn't help but laugh.

He said apologetically, "It was my oversight, little Niece, please don't take it to heart. I was just about to tell you, your father left you some things."

"Leave something for me?"

Lin Yunwan was slightly taken aback.

Zhao Jingyi sent someone to bring her over and helped her settle things at the Lin Residence; she was already extremely grateful!

Did they actually leave something for her?

Lin Huabin took out two booklets and said, "Niece, please take a look. There are too many things. I originally wanted to wait until the people in the manor had finished counting them, but my wife..." She paused for a moment before giving them to the fake daughter in front of her.

It wouldn't cause any major disturbances at home.

However, things were already unsettled, so he decided to give it to Yun Wan sooner rather than later, to prevent her from suffering any grievances in the Lin family.

Lin Yunwan took it and looked at it.

The two thick booklets contained not only Gold and Silver jewelry, but also many everyday utensils, even pots and pans! Of course, they weren't the kind used by country folk, but rather silver and jade items from wealthy families.

Would Zhao Jingyi be that meticulous?

She held the booklet, lost in thought... It must be the Prince's intention.

So, all these things were given to her by the Prince?

Lin Yunwan was greatly alarmed.

She already felt indebted to the Prince for his help; her father had only taught the Prince for a few years, and he had been gone for so long. How could she possibly bear such a heavy debt of gratitude from the Prince?

How could I possibly accept the Prince's money again!

This is completely different from the debt of gratitude owed to Prince for saving my life.

"What's wrong? Does my Niece think there's something wrong with what's in the booklet?"

Lin Huabin had already seen the booklet and knew what was written in it. He guessed that it was probably a list of things she used before that she had moved to the Lin family intact.

If there's anything wrong, she'll definitely be able to spot it at a glance.

He lowered his head and muttered to himself, "This booklet only recently came into my possession, and I handed it to you untouched. There shouldn't be any problem..."

Lin Yunwan quickly closed the booklet and said, "There's no problem. Thank you for your trouble, Uncle."

Lin Huabin smiled, "That's good."

"There are also fine fabrics and clothes inside. The banquets at the Prince Huan's Residence are not ordinary, so you should wear the best clothes first. Your uncle will naturally prepare something for you, but I'm afraid it won't be as nice as your father's."

"Niece, please don't find this objectionable."

Lin Yunwan smiled and said, "How could that be?"

Lin Huabin was always very polite. He smiled and said, "Uncle will have someone deliver it to your Courtyard right away."

After thanking her, Lin Yunwan seemed somewhat Yu Region, "As for Madam..."

If those things were sent to her Bixi Hall, wouldn't the Zheng Shi mother and daughter be furious?

Lin Huabin said awkwardly, "... Don't worry, I'll talk to her. Madam won't say anything."

That would be perfect.

They should handle their own marital affairs.

Lin Yunwan then said, "This junior will take her leave."

Lin Huabin nodded and sent his men to oversee the moving of things in the Front Courtyard.

At dusk, good things were delivered to the Bixi Hall like a flowing stream.

The already elegant courtyard was suddenly transformed into a luxurious space, complete with a four-panel Suzhou embroidery screen made of sandalwood, sandalwood tables and chairs, and jewelry made of agate, jade, and tourmaline.

Finally, there was a note, a token of Lin Huabin's appreciation.

This portion is much smaller, but it's not that Lin Huabin wasn't generous enough; rather, it's that the Prince was extremely extravagant!

"Girl, we have ready-made clothes. They're all brand new."

The items sent by the Prince weren't tailored to Lin Yunwan's size, but they were roughly the same, and she would definitely be able to wear them, unlike Lin Yunjiao's old clothes which were ill-fitting.

Xiruo suggested that Lin Yunwan give it a try.

Lin Yunwan put it on and it fit perfectly. Xi Xiruo touched the fabric and said, "... This is the first time I've ever touched Kesi tapestry) fabric."

This is a rarer weaving technique, and also more expensive.

Because it's expensive, this is the only one among so many items.

Lin Yunwan knew that no matter how many Princes she wanted to send gifts, they could afford it. However, she was now a young lady of the Lin Residence, and she couldn't dress more luxuriously than the Madam! It would arouse suspicion.

Xiruo found several more pieces of clothing among the things Lin Huabin had given her, saying, "They're made of the same material as the Second Miss's old clothes."

But these items are all brand new.

It's clear that Master Lin truly values her, or at least doesn't want to wrong her.

Lin Yunwan asked, "Xiruo, do you like it?"

Xiruo held it up to herself and smiled, "This servant likes it."

Lin Yunwan smiled and said, "Apart from the one I'm wearing that fits me, you can pick any of the others you like."

Including those sent by the Prince.

Xiruo glanced at the clothes in the trunk and shook her head, saying, "This servant can't wear that many."

Lin Yunwan advised her, "We've lived very frugally all the way here. Now that we're settled, don't deprive yourself. Take three sets of ready-made clothes, and pick out a few bolts of fabric to take back. We'll have the maids in the manor's Needlework Room make you a few outfits."

Xiruo impolite to refuse.

When serving a young lady, it's more convenient for her to wear a vest and long trousers; she needs to have them tailored to fit her perfectly.

"This servant told them to put all of these into the storeroom of the Bixi Hall."

"Good."

Lin Yunwan changed her clothes and read a book in her room.

Once she arrived at the Lin family's residence, she had plenty of free time to read.

Xiruo and opened the back room of the Bixi Hall as a storeroom, directing the maids Matron to move things. Fearing they might accidentally break something, she was very stern. "Be careful!"

When she lowered her voice, it was very deep and resonant. The young girls, seeing that she had an unusual physique and knew that she possessed some strength, dared not disobey her.

Before they knew it, darkness fell, and the Lin Residence began to light their lamps.

Bixi Hall also began to light its lamps, illuminating the back room brightly.

It was Xiruo returned to her room and said to Lin Yunwan, "Miss, everything has been counted, not a single item is missing."

Lin Yunwan smiled and said, "Thank you for your hard work."

Xiruo Xi Ruo was about to hand over the booklet, Lin Yunwan said, "You keep the booklet and the storeroom key for me."

This is something a young lady should keep safe!

The girl trusted her so much.

Xiruo smiled, pursing her lips, "Yes." She brought over some tea and whispered to Lin Yunwan, "Miss, there seems to be a fight going on in the Main Courtyard tonight."

Lin Yunwan accepted the teacup—it had been replaced with a new one, a tea set with colorful glazed fish playing among lotus leaves.

She said calmly, "Don't blame me."

Even if the real Miss Lin were to return, a legitimate Di Daughter would be treated worse than a maid. This stepmother is far too narrow-minded!

Just as Xiruo had said, the Main Courtyard was extremely noisy.

The maids dared not go in to serve, nor dared they run away; from afar, they could hear a large vase being smashed inside.

Zheng Shi lay on the table, sobbing, "You! You've been secretly hoarding things behind my back! You say you only care about my daughter and me, but you give all the good stuff to that bitch's daughter!"

Instead, she turned the tables and accused me. "Back then—back then—I shouldn't have listened to you and sent her to the countryside. You were just afraid I'd make her suffer, weren't you!"

"You've made good plans for your daughter!"

Lin Huabin rubbed his temples. "What is all this nonsense!"

If he didn't value Zheng Shi and Jiao'er, how could he have let his eldest daughter go to the countryside... Zheng Shi didn't even know that his eldest daughter was dead! When he learned of his eldest daughter's death, he felt a pang of heartache. He only endured it for the sake of the mother and daughter!

He was afraid that Zheng Shi would blame herself, so he said that he hadn't even told her, yet she didn't understand him at all!