A Scolding

Brother Zhao.

Lin Huabin shouldn't actually address Zhao Jingyi that way; he's actually older than Zhao Jingyi.

However, the two had a good relationship in private, and he would often collect rare and exotic animals, such as parrots Mynah birds, and give them to Zhao Jingyi.

Zhao Jingyi easy to talk to with everyone. Although he can be difficult at times, he usually lets it go on the spot and doesn't hold a grudge afterward.

Over time, Lin Huabin figured out his personality and they got along better and better.

One day, Zhao Jingyi got drunk and hugged him, saying, "I think you have the best temper and are the kindest person in the whole of Jiangqian. From now on, we'll call each other brothers."

Lin Huabin thought Zhao Jingyi to remember it after waking up, and even said, "Although I'm younger than you, I just like being the older brother."

The two became brothers.

He always addressed Zhao Jingyi as "Brother Zhao".

Lin Huabin rushed over with a smile, but noticing that Zhao Jingyi's expression wasn't good, he said, "Why are you sitting in the front hall? Come on, let's talk in my study."

He then went to help Zhao Jingyi up.

Zhao Jingyi was furious. He pushed Lin's hand away and said coldly, "Lord Lin, I've always considered you a friend. Do you look down on me?"

Lin Huabin frowned, looking puzzled. "Brother Zhao, what do you mean by that?"

Zhao Jingyi was furious. "Stop pretending!"

Lin Huabin looked very embarrassed.

There are so many servants watching outside! This Zhao Jingyi, how can he speak without knowing the appropriate occasion?

He grabbed Zhao Jingyi and said, "Come on, let's go to the study to talk. If you're unhappy about anything, I'll apologize to you."

"No need! I'll say it right here!"

He wouldn't directly mention the "daughter" matter, Lin Huabin, feeling guilty, knew he should understand what he meant!

"Cough cough."

Having no other option, Lin Huabin could only signal to the servant who had followed him to quickly close the door.

The servant didn't even pour tea; he lowered his head, retreated, and closed the door behind him.

All that could be heard inside was Zhao Jingyi's voice... he was giving his master a thorough dressing-down.

Lin Huabin had to coax Zhao Jingyi: "... Where did you hear such nonsense? How could I possibly look down on Brother Zhao?"

"If I looked down on you, I wouldn't think of you first when I see a rare peony or a precious parrot."

"If you say that, you're really not taking me seriously."

Lin Huabin was still very sad. He had a kind appearance, and when his eyes were downcast, he looked somewhat pitiful.

After finishing his tirade, Zhao Jingyi thought of their friendship over the years and said, "If you hadn't let me down, I wouldn't have come looking for you today!"

"Brother Zhao, you've been wronged!"

Lin Huabin sighed and asked, "What exactly does this mean?"

Zhao Jingyi and said in a low voice, "You're not good to my daughter!"

Lin Huabin was taken aback.

So it was about Yun Wan?

He frowned and said, "Yun Wan has always lived very well in my household. The Old Madam even personally invited her personal maid, Nanny Fan, to come and tutor Yun Wan. This is a treatment that none of the other girls in my family receive. How could I possibly treat her badly?"

Zhao Jingyi said, "I know what kind of person your Old Madam is, but what about your wife?"

"You still don't know about what happened at Ci'en Temple?"

Lin Huabin thought about it. He knew, but Zheng Shi said it was no big deal.

He frowned. "What happened at Ci'en Temple?"

Zhao Jingyi is about to lose his temper again.

Still don't know what happened? Ask him instead!

Lin Huabin stood up first to reassure Zhao Jingyi: "Brother Zhao, it was my oversight. Don't worry, I will never wrong Yun Wan. I will give you an explanation tomorrow."

Zhao Jingyi was then a little more agreeable. "You said it. Then I'll see how you perform. Hmph, I need to go back and feed the birds, I'm leaving now."

"I send you."

Zhao Jingyi turned and left, saying, "Goodbye." Before leaving, he added, "If something like this happens again, don't blame me for making everyone lose face!"

"No, no."

"That's for the best. Let's get together for drinks another day; I have a jar of ten-year-old Daughter's Red that I'm about to open."

"Okay, okay."

After seeing Zhao Jingyi off, Lin Huabin felt a little uneasy. His maternal uncle, the Prince Huan, was, to put it nicely, easygoing and straightforward, but to put it bluntly...

Many things should be done in accordance with Zhao Jingyi.

Lin Huabin returned to the inner courtyard to find Zheng Shi.

Zheng Shi was still sorting out the accounts. She was handling all the affairs of the household, which was quite tiring.

Without even looking up, she asked Lin Huabin, "What does Lord Zhao want with you, sir? Does he want you to gather birds again, or does he want to drink with you?"

Zhao Jingyi's mind is completely blank; he only ever talks about the same few things.

"Go out."

Lin Huabin's voice was cold, which frightened Nanny Fan and the maids in the room.

Zheng Shi's heart sank. She looked up at him and pursed her lips.

After the servant left, she stood up and said, "Master, what's wrong? Did Lord Zhao upset you?"

Lin Huabin pushed her away and said, "Tell me about what happened at Ci'en Temple."

Zheng Shi's mind worked quickly. "What does the matter of Ci'en Temple have to do with Lord Zhao?"

Why did I get angry with her about this when I came back?

Lin Huabin paused, then slowly sat down and said, "I asked Zhao Jingyi about the Prince's whereabouts, but you, with your two daughters, caused a scene at Ci'en Temple and lost face. I made an agreement with Zhao Jingyi... but now he refuses to tell me about the Prince and even speaks ill of me."

Do you think it matters?

"So many daughters of officials went to Ci'en Temple, but our Lin family is the only one to suffer trouble. How am I supposed to have the nerve to inquire about the Prince in the future?!"

Zheng Shi was very surprised. "Your Prince has heard that the Lin Residence also knows about Yun Jiao?"

Lin Huabin said with a stern face, "Is this the time to talk about this?"

"If you don't explain yourself clearly, none of you can think about anything related to the Prince's Mansion anymore. I'll go find a husband for Jiao'er right now and marry her off by the end of the year!"

"Sir! Listen to what you're saying!"

Zheng Shi was heartbroken. "My Jiao'er has only just come of age. Even if she marries into the Prince's mansion, she won't stay by my side for long. You want to marry her off so easily, at the end of the year? What will I do then?"

She wouldn't be willing to marry her daughter off casually unless she was marrying into a higher social class.

Lin Huabin glared at Zheng Shi with a cold face.

He used to be very good-tempered, but ever since his eldest daughter came home, he's been constantly throwing tantrums.

Zheng Shi felt uncomfortable, but dared not disobey her husband. Helplessly, she said, "Isn't it all because of Yun Wan's trip to the countryside when she was little? Do you think I can silence all the gossip? Besides, as soon as I saw the girls starting to argue, I quickly sent them away and brought my two daughters back."

What else can I do?

"Are we supposed to surround Ci'en Temple, turn it into the Lin family's courtroom, and then beat all those talkative girls?"

Lin Huabin gradually understood what was going on, and stopped blaming Zheng Shi.

Outsiders might say that they are ill-mannered, but the Lin family really can't control them.

Zheng Shi burst into tears. "Back then, I didn't want to drive her away... but I also bled. I did it all to protect my Jiao'er."

"What's wrong with me doing this for my own child!"

Lin Huabin hugged her and said, "Okay, stop crying. I'm not blaming you."

"Human nature is inherently evil. Yun Wan was just ignorant when she was young. Don't go to places that cause trouble in the future. If the Prince listens to this, none of the Lin family's daughters will be worthy of Prince attention!"

Zheng Shi wiped away her tears and asked, "What exactly did the Prince's mansion say? The Prince is not young anymore, and he still hasn't married the Emperor and Empress. And even the palace Nanny Wang, aren't they in a hurry?"

Lin Huabin said gently, "How can we not be anxious? Zhao Jingyi is very anxious, but he's tight-lipped and won't talk about anything at the Prince's Mansion. Even now, Nanny Wang hasn't heard of him meeting any of the mistresses or young ladies."

I'll ask again when I have a chance.

The couple's relationship was as harmonious as ever.

Lin Huabin had some official business to attend to that evening, so he went to his study. He then felt something was amiss and instructed the servants, "Call Nanny Zhao over."

We shouldn't just listen to what Zheng Shi has to say; we should also listen to what Nanny Zhao has to say.

Zhao Jingyi lost his temper so badly, it might not be as simple as Zheng Shi said.