The Best Opportunity

"The Second Master's residence is in complete chaos..."

I heard that quite a few maids Matron were punished.

"However, this old servant couldn't find out why he was punished. The Second Madam must have taken care of everything and wouldn't let any gossip get out."

Although Zheng Shi was also arrogant, she knew what was important.

She dared not let the family's affairs get out and ruin her husband's reputation.

Old Madam Lin lay on the couch, looking relaxed, but once she opened her eyes, they were wide awake and sharp.

She sat up and said, "That wife of the second son's, it's fine if no one bothers her, but if anyone does, she won't tolerate even an ant; she'll crush it with her own hands before she's satisfied."

"The eldest daughter of the household has returned. The Second Madam has always held a grudge against the First Second Madam and cannot tolerate the eldest daughter."

Old Madam Lin looked down on Zheng Shi's behavior and shook her head.

"Old Madam, the eldest young lady hasn't come to pay her respects yet. Perhaps she'll come in a few days. Would you like to meet her?"

After pondering for a long time with her eyes closed, Old Madam Lin said calmly, "If she wants to come and pay her respects, I will see her."

Lin Yunwan accompanied Zheng Shi to Ci'en Temple to offer incense.

Just as Dong Shuangshuang had said, Ci'en Temple was very lively.

The people of the Lin Residence were very particular about what they did when they went out. The Matron and maids surrounded their masters, occupying a large Covered Walkway of the path in front and behind them, and not allowing anyone else to get close.

Zheng Shi led Lin Yunwan to the Main Buddha Hall and said impatiently, "Let's pray for blessings here."

She casually instructed a Matron, "Take the Eldest Miss to the Master to offer prayers for the Eternal Light Lamp later."

The Matron was just a manual laborer; she'd never bothered with such things before!

She said nervously, "Yes."

I was a little apprehensive; I wondered if she could do this job well!

When Nanny Fan handed the money bag to her, she said, "This is for the Eternal Light Lamp; the rest is your reward." She then added, in a rather pretentious tone, "Keep a close eye on Eldest Miss. If anything happens to Eldest Miss, you'll be in big trouble!"

The Matron said tremblingly, "Yes! This servant will certainly keep a close eye on the Eldest Miss."

Zheng Shi led most of the people to visit Ci'en Temple.

Xiruo frowned and said in a low voice, "Madam is outrageous! They're just going to send you away like this."

Lin Yunwan smiled and said, "Isn't this a good thing?"

Ci'en Temple is bustling with people, making it difficult for anything to happen. Since Zheng Shi doesn't want to interfere, she is quite free.

The Eternal Light Lamp was not originally intended for Miss Lin's mother. It was actually safer without a shrewd servant accompanying her; she would have been somewhat worried if Nanny Fan had gone with her.

"Pray for blessings first, then leave."

After the people inside the Main Buddha Hall came out, Lin Yunwan followed them in, knelt on the prayer mat, and closed her eyes to pray for blessings.

May you rest in peace, Miss Lin.

Your problem is now my problem, and I will help you clear your name.

And also, Mother, younger brother, Chang Gong, if you are sincere, the Bodhisattva will surely protect you!

Lin Yunwan didn't know how long she had been kneeling; her knees ached when she stood up.

"Girl, be careful."

Xiruo helped Lin Yunwan up.

Lin Yunwan stood up, and a woman beside her, who was about to kneel down, suddenly looked at her with surprise and called out, "Miss Lin?"

"Madam Dong..."

Lin Yunwan didn't know Dong Shuangshuang's husband's family, so she called her by her own surname.

Dong Shuangshuang stopped kneeling, stood up, and said, "I never expected to run into you here."

Seeing her worried expression, Lin Yunwan said, "Pray for blessings first, I'll come find you later."

Dong Shuangshuang nodded.

Lin Yunwan went out with the Matron to offer prayers for the Eternal Light Lamp.

There is a very large hall in Ci'en Temple, which is specifically used to house Eternal Light Lamps.

Lin Yunwan took the money pouch from the Matron, took only half of it, and said, "Take the rest and wait outside. Don't come in and disturb me."

The Matron took the money and stood obediently outside the door without saying a word.

A lucrative job with no worries about the Eldest Miss!

Lin Yunwan and Xiruo went in together. She added money of her own to set up an Eternal Light Lamp for Lin Yun Wan, only writing down her birth date and time without mentioning her name.

"Girl, let's go."

Lin Yunwan stared for too long, Xiruo advised her to leave.

"Um."

When we went out, the Matron was sitting on the railing outside, dozing off.

Xiruo whispered, "Can you still sleep right now?"

"They usually do manual labor. When the ladies Madam women come out, they have to get up before dawn to prepare, so it's naturally hard work."

Xiruo smiled and said, "It's because you're kind-hearted, Miss."

"Wake her up."

Xiruo woke the Matron and took Matron to the Main Buddha Hall.

Dong Shuangshuang had been waiting outside the Main Buddha Hall, and her eyes lit up when she saw Lin Yunwan.

The two strolled together through the Plum Grove of Ci'en Temple, like old friends. There were only some late-blooming plums left, and they weren't as vibrant as those at Prince Huan's Residence.

"Madam Dong, I'd like to ask you about something. Is that convenient?"

Dong Shuangshuang took Lin Yunwan's hand and said, "What do you want to ask?"

"... When I was sent to the countryside, your family hadn't moved yet. Have you ever heard of where my wet nurse, who took care of me, and my stepmother's dowry maid were sent?"

Dong Shuangshuang was two or three years older than Miss Lin, and she remembered things from back then.

The two families live so close together, and judging from Dong Shuangshuang's words, she often visits the Lin family, so she probably knows something.

"It's alright if you don't remember; I was just asking casually."

Seeing that Lin Yunwan pursed her lips, Lin Yunwan didn't dare to ask any more questions. Perhaps Dong Shuangshuang felt guilty for not being able to help her friend when they were young!

Dong Shuangshuang gave a wry smile, "I don't know..."

"But before your wet nurse left, I visited you. Your stepmother saw that I was just a child and didn't trust me. Your wet nurse, she... she..."

Her voice was filled with tension and regret.

Lin Yunwan waited for her to continue.

Dong Shuangshuang said, "Your wet nurse begged me... to help her out... but I didn't dare at the time..."

She was almost in tears! You could tell she felt very guilty.

Lin Yunwan told her, "Don't even think about it! You're just a six or seven-year-old child, what can you do? Even if you can help a little, since Master Madam are determined to send me away, whatever you do will be a drop in the ocean."

Dong Shuangshuang stared at Lin Yunwan in shock.

"You... you don't blame me?"

Lin Yunwan smiled slightly, "It's not your fault. You're not the one who really did the evil."

Dong Shuangshuang burst into tears.

Lin Yunwan patted her shoulder, and once Dong Shuangshuang had calmed down, she asked, "The injury on your hand..."

Dong Shuangshuang smiled and said, "It'll be ready soon."

She rolled up her sleeves to show Lin Yunwan.

Lin Yunwan smelled the medicine, Dong Shuangshuang obediently took it.

Dong Shuangshuang probably genuinely felt a connection with Lin Yunwan, and took the initiative to speak, "I've been to Ci'en Temple twice already, and I'm so glad to finally meet you this time." She was very happy. "I knew you were coming."

However, it had not been long since the banquet at Prince Huan's Residence ended.

Lin Yunwan asked her, "Does your mother-in-law allow you to go out often?"

Dong Shuangshuang shook her head and whispered, "I told my mother-in-law I came to pray for a child, and that's when she let me out."

She had been married for several years and had only given birth to one daughter, not a Legitimate Son for her husband's family. She said she wanted to ask for a son, so how could her mother-in-law refuse?

Lin Yunwan silent.

I have to go.

Dong Shuangshuang can't stay out for too long, otherwise her mother-in-law will get angry again.

Holding Lin Yunwan's hand, she said sincerely, "Yun Wan, listen to me, seize every opportunity you can... A woman's marriage is like climbing mountains of knives and wading through seas of fire, don't be shameless, no one can help you, you must save yourself!"

She was just being unreasonable, listening to her stepmother and getting married. If she had been more determined and made a scene back then, maybe things wouldn't have turned out this badly!

Lin Yunwan watched Dong Shuangshuang leave, her feelings a complex mix.

"Seize the opportunity..."

If she wants to seize an opportunity, then the best opportunity is...