Exposed in public

Nanny Fan told the women of the East Lin Residence to stay in the guest rooms at Ci'en Temple.

"Girl, let's go too."

Xiruo helped Lin Yunwan walk with Zheng Shi.

Once inside the Side Rooms, the women of the West Lin Residence also settled in, making the Courtyard lively with people.

The girls in West Lin Residence all wore purple tops and Zong Skirts, while the girls in East Lin Residence wore dresses and jewelry adorned with begonia flowers, creating a clear distinction between the two groups.

People from the West Lin Residence came to pay their respects to Old Madam Lin.

"Greetings, Old Madam. May you enjoy Old Madam happiness and longevity."

There was no Old Madam in the West Lin Residence. The Physician of the main branch, who was also the mistress of West Lin, was followed by a group of young and beautiful girls. They were all legitimate Di Daughters and illegitimate daughters of the mansion. Because they were well dressed and well-mannered, it was impossible to tell at a glance whether they were Di Daughters or illegitimate daughters.

Everyone in the East Lin Residence was astonished.

"The mistress of the West Lin Residence has a very magnanimous heart."

All the girls in the family were outstanding, not one of them was inferior!

Lin Yunwan glanced at it too; she was truly more beautiful than the flowers!

With a smile, Old Madam Lin said, "Children, get up." She then said to the servants beside her, "Give them all a reward."

Everyone was given a Red Envelope, and the Side Room was bustling with activity.

When it was the turn of the young ladies from the East Lin Residence, the Madam of the Third Branch each brought their daughters to pay their respects, arranged in order of age, with Lin Yunwan being the first.

"What a beautiful girl."

The mistress of the West Lin Residence's eyes lit up when she saw Lin Yunwan.

Old Madam Lin generously said, "This is Yun Wan, the eldest daughter of the second son's family. She greets your aunt."

"Auntie, are you well?"

Lin Yunwan passed away.

Upon hearing that she was Lin Huabin's daughter, the smile on the West Lin Residence's face faded somewhat, and she only uttered a few polite words. "Is she learning needlework at home or studying?"

Lin Yunwan said, "I'll study, and I'll also learn needlework."

Old Madam Lin said, "She's rather dull-witted, only learning Nanny Fan."

The mistress of the West Lin Residence smiled and said, "Nanny Fan doesn't easily discipline people."

But I didn't say anything more.

Jiangqian, the eldest daughter of the Second Branch of the East Lin family... Many families have heard of her; she is an ill-mannered person.

Although the Second Madam of the East Lin Residence wasn't a very good person, this pair of stepmothers and daughters were probably about the same.

Lin Yunwan stepped aside.

One by one, the other young ladies in the manor came to pay their respects and offer birthday wishes. She secretly observed how the mistress of the West Lin Residence treated her other sisters, and she already had a clear answer in her heart.

Even her own clansmen look down on Miss Lin!

After paying her respects, Old Madam Lin said with a smile, "Go out and have some fun! Don't stay here with this Matron."

The girls knew that the Madam were going to talk to the Old Madam, so they all left.

The girls from the two households rarely met, but some got along very well. Once they parted, they would each go and find their own playmates.

Even Lin Yunjiao has a close female friend.

Lin Yunwan stood alone under the long corridor of the Side Room. Xiruo frowned and said, "Miss, the young lady from West Lin Residence is intentionally distancing herself from you."

"Who can't see it now?"

Lin Yunwan smiled and said, "It seems that Madam and Second Miss have put a lot of effort into me."

They let the rumors spread without trying to clear her name.

She's practically famous throughout Jiangqian!

"Let's go out and take a look."

The Prince will definitely send people in; she wants to see what Lin Huabin and Zheng Shi will do at this point.

Lin Yunwan and Xiruo walked together toward the Main Buddha Hall, and suddenly there were many more monks in Ci'en Temple.

What happened?

Lin Yunwan said in a low voice.

Xiruo said, "I'll go ask."

They pulled aside a monk to inquire, and learned. "A fool has barged in... He's ignorant and doesn't know any better; we're afraid he'll offend the Madam women of the two households."

Thank you.

Xiruo released the person and said to Lin Yunwan, "Wasn't it Lingxiang who came in?"

But it alerted Lin Huabin's people.

"Young lady, Madam Nanny Fan, has come out— Madam has come out too!"

Zheng Shi took Nanny Fan to another guest room to meet Lin Huabin.

"What? Lingxiang has come to Ci'en Temple?"

Zheng Shi's eyes widened, and she said disdainfully, "She has such audacity?"

Lin Huabin said helplessly, "She just has that much guts!"

Zheng Shi frowned and said, "I don't know what's wrong with Lingxiang, sir. You must arrest her and deal with her quickly! We can't let her run wild."

Now that things have come to this, we definitely can't let Lingxiang show her face.

Lin Huabin said somewhat irritably, "Dispose of her? How do you want to dispose of her? She's already been released; it's no longer up to us."

Zheng Shi, wringing her handkerchief, said, "She came all this way, all for the money."

"Give her silver, lots and lots of silver. So much that she can't carry it all."

"The rest is the Prefect's business; there's no need for you to worry about it."

That's extorting money from a former employer!

With the money in hand, there's evidence. Once we're at the government office, what's so difficult about making a judgment?

Lin Huabin glanced at Zheng Shi.

Zheng Shi chuckled awkwardly and said, "This is the only option we have. The Old Madam is about to go to offer incense at the auspicious time. Do you really want to watch her ruin the Old Madam's birthday celebration?"

Lin Huabin paused for a moment, then said, "Whether she deserves her punishment is for the people in the government office to decide. I'll leave it to them to handle."

He wouldn't personally get involved in such dirty work.

Zheng Shi smiled and said, "That's right. The government office is the fairest place. We just need to make sure the Old Madam's birthday goes smoothly."

"Um."

Lin Huabin summoned his guards and, expressionless, ordered, "Use every means to catch her. Gag her, don't let her make a sound. Give her the money and send her to the government office."

The guard said, "Master, such rough behavior could hurt someone... You said she's already a maidservant released from the manor; things could get complicated if she goes to the yamen."

Lin Huabin asked gently, "Which is more important, filial piety or injuring an insignificant maid?"

Our dynasty governs the world with filial piety, so of course filial piety is the most important thing!

"I'll go arrest them right away!"

He took a few ruthless guards and went to arrest people.

Lin Yunwan stood in a side hall, which was on high ground, and could see the guards and monks walking quickly along the Covered Walkway.

"Miss, it seems the master doesn't intend to let Lingxiang go."

Lin Yunwan said, "Shutting the mouths of those below is always the simplest way to deal with things."

Xiruo frowned and said, "But that's not fair."

Lin Yunwan laughed, "It's more than just unfair! I only said half of what I meant—if I'm lucky, covering my mouth is the best way; if I'm unlucky, then it'll be terrible."

Xiruo asked curiously, "Miss, what's the best course of action if you're unlucky?"

Lin Yunwan said calmly, "Of course we've taken the initiative. With so many people around, the master Madam mistress can clear Miss Lin and extricate themselves with just a few words."

They have now lost the initiative.

"The auspicious time is approaching; let's get ready to accompany the Old Madam to offer incense."

Xiruo was still a little worried. "Miss, will Lingxiang be caught?"

Lin Yunwan: "You really think they're looking for Lingxiang?"

It was probably just a smokescreen used by Qi Lingheng.

She already guessed what he was planning; he wouldn't be as soft-hearted as she was.

Xiruo smiled and whispered, "You really understand the Prince!"

Lin Yunwan paused slightly, then said, "... I've known the Prince for many years."

Although they didn't interact much, throughout all the time she knew the Prince, he never pretended in front of her; she always saw the real him, so of course she understood him.

When they arrived at the largest Main Buddha Hall of Ci'en Temple, Old Madam Lin had already led the master Madam over.

The sound of chanting filled the Main Buddha Hall, and the Bronze Incense Burner was filled with ash, with wisps of smoke rising from it.

"Please offer incense."

The Abbot instructed his disciples to bring over incense.

Several gentlemen and Old Madam Lin bowed and said, "Please, Old Madam, offer the First Incense."

Just before the auspicious hour, Lingxiang suddenly appeared, knelt on the ground, and cried out, "Old Madam Lin, please, please seek justice for me!"

Lin Huabin and Zheng Shi turned to look, their faces turning pale with fright.

What is she doing here!

Didn't they send people to arrest her? Why did they put her here?!

Lin Yunwan and Xiruo also looked at Lingxiang.

Xiruo a little agitated and lowered her voice, saying, "Miss, will she be able to finish what she's saying if she comes out like this?"

Lin Yunwan thought for a moment and said, "The Old Madam is not someone to be trifled with."

Perhaps it's the right thing to be ruthless, like the Prince!