Dowry

Although the people from both households had dispersed, their hearts remained with the family. Back in their rooms, they were still discussing the affairs of the Second Branch of the East Lin Residence in private.

The matriarch of the West Lin Residence said admiringly, "The Old Madam is truly decisive, handling it so publicly. She didn't protect the Second Master and Second Madam at all."

"I've long heard that the Old Madam seems to be biased..."

The mistress laughed and said, "You're mistaken. Even favoritism isn't shown this way."

She continued, "Things have gotten so big today. If the Old Madam doesn't handle this properly, the Second Master will be in trouble."

What trouble could there be?

The matriarch glanced at the women of the household and remained silent.

Old Madam Lin was still throwing a tantrum.

She rarely loses her temper; she's seen it all over the years. But when it comes to her son, she always makes an exception.

Lin Huabin felt heartbroken and didn't want to argue with his mother anymore.

If word gets out, it will make him look unfilial!

No matter what his mother said, he would smile obsequiously and say, "Mother, you're right. It's my fault for not being a good father."

"Mother, please calm down. It's also because your son hasn't been a good husband."

Old Madam Lin felt a pain in her heart.

She took a breath and whispered, "Second brother, are you blaming me?"

Lin Huabin paused, then smiled and said, "Mother, how could your son resent you?"

"You gave birth to a son, and he's Filial Piety you, you can't even keep up with his kindness."

Old Madam Lin smiled.

She knew her son better than anyone.

"Second brother, tell me, if I don't punish Lingxiang and Yun Wan's name, how will the Prefect judge me in court?"

Lin Huabin said calmly, "Didn't you say that she herself made a mistake? Taking it to the government office isn't a big deal."

"Besides, if you don't let her go, how can she possibly get to the government office?"

Old Madam Lin asked coldly, "Didn't you ever consider how she, a former maid in the Lin Residence, managed to get before me?"

"She dares to offend the Lin family... If I don't let her go, she can't leave?"

"If I don't clear Lingxiang's name, someone else is waiting to do the same!"

"What will people outside say about you two, you two wolves in sheep's clothing? That you're mean to your Di Daughter, and..."

She didn't want to continue talking!

Lin Huabin was taken aback.

He's completely forgotten about it now!

A chill ran through me, and my mind raced, wondering if it was Zhao Jingyi.

But he doesn't seem like the type to be so calculating.

Zhao Jingyi and kind person, and he would never say anything to ruin his mother's birthday.

Looking at her second son, Old Madam Lin said helplessly, "You've offended someone, and you still don't know who it is!"

Lin Huabin's face paled, and he said, "My son is not as steady as my Elder Brother, nor as clever as my Third Younger Brother."

"Second brother, you don't need to talk to me like that."

Lin Huabin smiled bitterly, "Mother, what do you want your son to say? In just one day, your son has become an unkind father and an unfilial son."

He'll never have a chance to get ahead in this life; he was born to be a stepping stone for his Elder Brother and younger brothers!

"Mother, I'm not blaming you, I'm just disappointed... Why... why don't you ever think of me like you did for my Elder Brother and Third Younger Brother?"

Old Madam Lin nearly fainted.

She forced herself to say, "... Having an empty reputation is useless."

"If you are a filial son and a loving father, no one can slander you."

"Son, you're not a three-year-old. If you really don't want to listen, no matter how right my reasoning is, it won't work..."

Nanny Fan came out and said, "Second Master, the Old Madam is going home today. She's had a long journey, and there's a banquet at home tonight. You and Madam should go back first!"

"... good."

Lin Huabin nodded.

Zheng Shi lowered her head, stood up, and followed. She didn't dare to utter a single word.

As soon as he left, Old Madam Lin coughed up blood.

Nanny Fan said with heartache, "Everyone knows what kind of person the Second Master is, why are you still trying to reason with him?"

Old Madam Lin said helplessly, "He is my son."

Nanny Fan sighed.

A son like that is better not to have! But she couldn't say such heartless things; a mother probably wouldn't be able to hear it.

After calming herself down, Old Madam Lin said, "... It's my fault for not teaching him well."

Nanny Fan said, "Don't blame yourself. I've seen the character of the three masters."

"The Eldest Master has been steady and ambitious since childhood, the Third Master has been quick-witted and kind since childhood. The Second Master..."

"Let me be blunt, not all children are considerate. Some children can be taught to be, and some cannot. Second Master is one of those children who cannot be taught. No matter what you do for him, he only believes what he sees. You can't use any methods on someone like that."

Old Madam Lin, "It was my neglect of him those years that caused him to go astray. Otherwise, Zheng Shi wouldn't have succeeded. Without the parents' permission, they dared to secretly exchange gifts!"

"He thought I knew nothing, but I knew everything!"

"Even if I agreed to let a woman like that marry into the family, the other elders in the Lin family would not agree."

"After all the twists and turns, I still let her marry into the family, and sure enough, she caused chaos in the household. I should have been more ruthless..."

Nanny Fan shook her head and said, "Second Madam is quite formidable; she's been waiting for Master until she's so old without marrying. If you're any more heartless, Master will truly hate you."

If the wolf couple were just pretending, things would be much easier.

Unfortunately, they were truly in love back then, and if the elders didn't allow it, it would be a tragedy.

After reminiscing about the past for a while, Old Madam Lin felt a bit better, Nanny Fan asked, "Do you really want to investigate Lingxiang's matter?"

Old Madam Lin, "Of course we need to investigate."

She said, "If we don't have solid evidence, what will Yun Wan do if the Zheng Shi stirs up trouble again?"

Nanny Fan chuckled, "You're worried that the Second Master will offend someone, aren't you?"

Old Madam Lin remained silent.

I don't know who brought Lingxiang over.

"Miss, do you wish to see Lingxiang? She's in the last Side Room, watched by the Eldest Madam's people. If you wish to see her... I'm sure the Eldest Madam won't stop you."

Lin Yunwan nodded and said, "Let's go take a look."

She met with Lingxiang alone, Xiruo waited outside.

Lingxiang is acting strangely. She was too excited just now, and now she looks a bit crazy.

"Lingxiang?"

Lin Yunwan called her, but she didn't respond. She whispered, "Don't be afraid. You'll be alright. The money the Old Madam promised you is yours, and the money I promised you will also be yours."

Lingxiang regained her senses and suddenly tugged at Lin Yunwan's sleeve, saying, "Eldest Miss! I understand! I understand!"

"What do you know?"

Lingxiang smiled mysteriously, "No wonder Madam was willing to drug herself. She did it for the Former Madam's dowry!"

"Eldest Miss, if you don't leave, how will Madam receive the Former Madam's dowry!"

Lin Yunwan frowned. "Dowry?"

Lingxiang sat on the ground, hugging her knees, and said, "Don't you know? Twenty years ago, your birth mother was the daughter of the wealthiest merchant family in Jiangqian. Her dowry was as big as water and as big as a mountain! Madam must be so envious!"

"Madam, you didn't just kill two birds with one stone, you killed three..."

"Haha, I got rid of two thorns in my side and even got a large sum of money. How stupid of me! Why didn't I think of that earlier! I'm so dumb!"

Lin Yunwan suddenly realized, no wonder... If the matter were investigated further, it would be impossible to control!

Old Madam Lin is truly farsighted; she has thought of everything.