Plans for the Future

The letter Lin Yunyi wrote was very long. Lin Yunwan read it for a long time, and before she knew it, her eyes were wet with tears.

Upon seeing this, Qi Lingheng got up and went outside, looking at the vast expanse of white on the lake.

Although most of the scenery was gray and white, the plum garden was tinged with delicate red, making it quite pleasing to the eye.

"Girl."

Xiruo handed over a damp handkerchief.

Lin Yunwan wiped her face and saw that Qi Lingheng had already left, feeling a warm glow in her heart.

The Prince is truly a polite and respectful person.

Despite holding a high position, he is very considerate.

"Young lady, is everything alright at home?"

Xiruo she could wring the handkerchief again.

Lin Yunwan smiled and said, "It's all good."

She told Xiruo, "My mother had been ill, but she's almost fully recovered now."

I don't know how Seventh Master Li is so powerful! He actually managed to restore her mother's sight. However, her younger brother said in his letter that she still can't stand bright light and can only walk around indoors. He said it will be more than a year before she can go out, unless she wears a dark veil.

"Oh! That Physician is truly amazing."

Lin Yunwan and said, "Exactly."

Yun Yi also mentioned Seventh Master Li's matter, saying that he had already left the capital to gather herbs, and it seemed that he had left the capital with the Prince's men.

Lin Yunwan was in an excellent mood.

Chang Gong and Lady Guo, however, made her somewhat worried.

Chang Gong refused to leave the Lu family and continued to be the eldest son of the Wuding Marquis Residence. She was worried that Chang Gong was too young. If he had no other thoughts, that would be fine, but if the child had big ideas and some other thoughts... it would be difficult to handle.

Yun Yi also said that not long after Lady Guo offered her condolences, she moved away.

My teacher died under suspicious circumstances in my previous life; I wonder if it was related to the sudden move.

But it doesn't matter. She must get back to the Capital before her teacher gets into trouble. She won't stay in Jiangqian forever, or stay in the Lin family as Lin Huabin's daughter forever.

"I'll go and invite the Prince in."

Lin Yunwan got up and went outside to find Qi Lingheng.

The doors and windows were all tightly closed, except for the door he had just left through, which was ajar.

As soon as she stepped outside, a cold wind hit her face, leaving it feeling icy cold.

"Your Prince, please come in. It's too cold outside."

Qi Lingheng turned around and saw that she had finished tidying up. He smiled slightly and said, "Okay."

Lin Yunwan opened the door and invited the Prince in.

Qi Lingheng stepped inside, casually closing the door behind him. As he walked, he said, "Before I left the capital, I sent A Fu to visit you. Your mother is no longer receiving visitors. Your younger brother, however, is doing well; he's already back at the Academy continuing his studies."

Lin Yunwan nodded and said, "Mother's eyes can't stand the light, and my brother also said that Mother is too heartbroken because of 'me,' so it's best for her not to see guests."

If he reappears a year later, the storm will have passed, and his eyes will have healed, thus avoiding suspicion.

"That's how it should be."

Qi Lingheng said softly, perhaps because he had been outside for a long time and was feeling a bit cold, he took a sip of tea.

Lin Yunwan watched him put down his teacup and said gratefully, "I also thank Your Prince for your help with things at home."

Qi Lingheng smiled slightly, "It was nothing." Seeing that Lin Yunwan hadn't finished looking at the contents of the box, he said, "Keep everything your brother left you safe."

Lin Yunwan then looked at the other things in the box. She had already guessed that they were silver notes and some valuable items that were easy to carry.

Some of it was her dowry, and some was money her mother and brother had secretly given her.

She said, "I'm currently at the Lin Residence; it's not appropriate to openly bring these things back."

Qi Lingheng said, "That's easy. I'll ask my maternal uncle to deliver it to Lin Huabin and have him pass it on to you."

When it comes to money, Lin Yunwan is very concerned about it.

She pondered for a moment, then smiled and said, "Your Prince, Master Lin has already gifted me a considerable sum of his private savings. That's more than enough." She closed the wooden box and said, "I cannot accept gifts without having done anything in return. I shouldn't have taken these back anyway, Your Prince, please keep them."

Qi Lingheng did not want to accept it.

These things meant nothing to him.

Lin Yunwan certainly knew; did the royal family lack Gold and Silver and jewels?

"Your Prince, I have nothing to repay you with. If you refuse even these, I will feel truly guilty."

"Alright, then you can stay here with me."

Qi Lingheng, fearing she would worry too much, said gently, "The care your father has given me is far beyond what Gold and Silver can buy."

Lin Yunwan kept her head down.

She knew the Prince cherished old feelings, but she couldn't be ungrateful.

"Your Prince, I have another question. The corpses that were burned in the Lu family's nunnery..."

Miss Lin was buried in the mountain where she hanged herself, alongside the loyal servant who had cared for her since childhood.

Who was the woman who was burned to death in her place?

Qi Lingheng said indifferently, "Those who died deserved to die. Don't take it to heart."

When the topic turned to trivial people and things, his coldness intensified.

Lin Yunwan remained silent.

Qi Lingheng then said, "If you don't want her to stay with the Lin Family, you can dig her out later..."

"No need for that. Since she 'died' in my place, it's only right that my family supports her."

Qi Lingheng nodded.

I've said most of what I needed to say.

Lin Yunwan felt she had been out for a long time and it was time to go back.

Qi Lingheng held his teacup and asked her gently, "What are your plans for the future?"

What are your plans, Your Prince?

Her only thought now is to return to the Capital so that she can see her mother and brother, instead of being separated by mountains and rivers like they are now, with no chance for the family to even reunite!

Qi Lingheng paused for a moment before saying, "You've already 'died' once because of your parents' arranged marriage. From now on, you can make your own decisions about important matters in your life."

He continued, "You've been the mistress of a household, and your perspective is no longer that of a young unmarried girl. Miss Lin, I think you need to be bolder."

A faint smile played on her lips.

Lin Yunwan was somewhat taken aback.

She didn't want her future to be restricted any further, but she hadn't really thought about it to that extent yet!

It's quite unconventional for a woman to choose her own husband and in-laws.

It's not easy to actually walk this path, especially since she has such a big secret on her hands; one wrong move and she could become someone else's leverage.

If her husband proves unreliable, she will encounter another Lu Zhengliu.

Being a woman also presents many inconveniences.

An unmarried young woman was not even allowed to go out casually, let alone go to the Capital to reunite with her mother and younger brother!

But no matter how difficult it is, she will not give up.

It all depends on human effort.

Lin Yunwan smiled and said, "Prince says makes sense. I will consider it."

There was absolutely no intention of asking for favors.

Qi Lingheng looked at her for a while before agreeing, "Okay."

He also told her, "If you need anything, you can have Xiruo to the Prince's Mansion to find A Fu."

Lin Yunwan nodded, stood up, and said, "Your Prince, I've been out for too long; I must go back now."

He kept the thank-you gift and the silver notes his younger brother had given him.

Qi Lingheng didn't have time to check what the thank-you gift was.

He went out with her, intending to see her off, but A Fu was whistling on the opposite bank, as if there were other people there.

He then instructed Xiruo, "You escort the young lady back first."

"Yes."

Xiruo helped Lin Yunwan onto the boat. As she was about to row, Qi Lingheng instructed her, "Take good care of your young lady and don't let her suffer any injustice."

Wronged?

The girl has already suffered enough!

Xiruo pursed her lips before replying, "Your Prince..."

Lin Yunwan frowned and said softly, "Xiruo, I'm a little cold, let's go back quickly."

Xiruo had no choice but to look up and say, "Prince Highness, I understand. I'll take my leave now."

Lin Yunwan said gently, "It's very cold outside, Your Prince, please wait."

Qi Lingheng didn't ask any further questions, only telling them to hurry back.

It was indeed quite cold on the lake.

His face darkened only after the small boat had gone far away.