Reputation

"Old Madam, can you still hold on?"

After returning to the Lin Residence from Ci'en Temple, Old Madam Lin's face grew paler and paler.

Nanny Fan was very worried.

Old Madam Lin said, "I'm fine. Quickly help me change my clothes, the banquet in the Flower Hall is about to begin... Has the Opera Stage started playing on the stage yet?"

Nanny Fan said, "With the Eldest Madam taking care of things, what do you have to worry about?"

Old Madam Lin nodded, changed her clothes, and even applied lip rouge before heading over.

At the banquet, she treated both of her daughters-in-law very kindly, but she neglected Zheng Shi somewhat.

However, when mentioning the three elders, she praised them all the same way, "The second and third sons are more thoughtful, and the eldest is also Filial Piety, though not as eloquent as his two younger brothers. But his filial piety is never just words..."

They didn't blame Lin Huabin at all.

Surrounded by her children and grandchildren, including Lin Huabin's two sons, she loved them all equally.

Lin Yunwan watched calmly, thinking to herself... this is probably what it's like to be a mother.

But this is not a good thing.

The main banquet was on the second day, and it wasn't just relatives from the Lin Residence who came.

The Lin Residence also invited Qi Lingheng, but since the Prince Huan's Residence's mansion sent a congratulatory gift, Qi Lingheng himself did not attend the banquet.

Qi Lingheng was mentioned by some people during the meal.

"Your Prince hasn't shown up at any banquet yet."

"They probably just don't like this kind of thing..."

Some whispered, "Perhaps they haven't found a woman they like..."

If he had a favorite Prince Huan Consort, how could he not personally step forward!

"But we see the Zhao family has arrived."

"Master Fifth Master Zhao is well-liked and has a good relationship with Second Master Lin. Doesn't his family attend any weddings or celebrations in Jiangqian?"

In short, the news of Prince Huan's marriage is still being kept completely secret.

Lin Yunwan sat at the table and listened for a while.

Xiruo whispered to her, "Madam has run away..."

Lin Yunwan looked over and saw that Zheng Shi had left looking dejected. News of what happened at Ci'en Temple had already spread. Her mother-in-law was giving her the cold shoulder, and her sisters-in-law weren't speaking up for her either. She really couldn't stay any longer!

"She deserves it."

After speaking in a low voice, Lin Yunwan drank a cup of tea.

Yun Wan.

Suddenly someone called her name. Lin Yunwan turned around and saw Dong Shuangshuang.

"Madam Dong."

Seeing that Dong Shuangshuang hadn't brought her child this time, she smiled and asked, "Where's your Little Miss?"

Dong Shuangshuang said, "She refused to come and left the wet nurse to take care of her."

Lin Yunwan stood up and said, "Let's go, I'll go with you to see some opera."

The two went out together, Lin Yunwan asked Dong Shuangshuang about her injuries, "... Did you use any medicine? Are you better yet?"

Dong Shuangshuang nodded. Seeing that no one was around, she mustered her courage, rolled up her sleeves, and said, "I've taken the medicine."

The scars on my arm have faded.

Lin Yunwan held her hand and advised, "Old wounds heal easily; don't create new ones."

Dong Shuangshuang lowered her head, not wanting to say anything more.

She really didn't know what to say... and she didn't want to get hurt.

My family gets upset just hearing about my affairs, so I'd better not tell my friends.

She asked in a low voice, "I've heard about your stepmother."

"Your Old Madam is quite fair. But I've also heard... things aren't finalized yet? Should I...?"

Dong Shuangshuang was extremely nervous. She rarely stood up for others like this. She pursed her lips and said, "If your Old Madam wants witnesses, I can tell you everything I saw back then!"

Lin Yunwan and said, "You were young then, so what you said might not be considered valid testimony."

Dong Shuangshuang said, "But I'm not young anymore! I'm telling the truth!"

Lin Yunwan squeezed her hand, looked into her eyes, and said, "Shuangshuang, I know you want to help me."

Her voice was very gentle. "But I'm out of trouble now. You need to find a way to help yourself."

Dong Shuangshuang was taken aback.

"Help myself?"

Lin Yunwan nodded.

Dong Shuangshuang lowered her sleeve, covering the wound on her arm, paused for a moment, and then asked, "Although your grievances have been cleared, your stepmother is not an easy person to deal with. Yun Wan, is there anything else I can do to help you?"

She was determined to help her friend in some way.

She could do the things she couldn't do when she was a child, and she didn't want to see Yun Wan ruin her future like she did, because of a stepmother who didn't love her.

"There really is."

Lin Yunwan said.

Dong Shuangshuang opened her eyes wide and asked, "What is it?"

Lin Yunwan spoke to her in a low voice.

After meeting Dong Shuangshuang, Lin Yunwan watched the entire play under the Opera Stage before returning to the Second Branch of the family's residence.

The Opera Stage lasted for three days before the Old Madam's birthday celebration finally came to an end.

Nanny Fan came over again to give Lin Yunwan and Lin Yunjiao lesson.

She smiled and said, "I showed the Old Madam all the girls' calligraphy practice drawings, Old Madam said both girls did a very good job."

Lin Yunwan, saying, "The eldest young lady's drawing is the most natural and unrestrained; the Old Madam said she likes it very much. When your skills are more refined, the Old Madam said she wants you to draw a pattern for a headband for her, so the people in the Needlework Room can make it and she can wear it."

Lin Yunwan smiled and said, "If Old Madam doesn't mind, I've learned needlework and will make Old Madam a forehead band."

Nanny Fan said, "That would be even better!"

Lin Yunjiao sulked to the side, but her confidence was waning... The Old Madam's birthday celebration had passed, and her older sister was no longer the murderer who had almost killed her!

The Old Madam and the other two branches of the family, as well as the women from West Lin Residence and other prominent families in Jiangqian, all began to get close to Yun Wan!

This shouldn't be happening!

She is her parents' only precious daughter!

It's going to rain.

Nanny Fan suddenly felt cold, glanced outside, and saw that the sky had changed.

Xiruo placed an umbrella at the door and said, "Granny, this is the umbrella I prepared for you."

Nanny Fan smiled at her and continued teaching the two girls.

Lin Yunjiao was absent-minded today and had no energy to listen to what Nanny Fan was saying. She even disliked Nanny Fan a little because Nanny Fan was someone who served the Old Madam.

"The Old Madam is being biased! She could have easily ignored what Lingxiang said!"

On her way home from school, she almost cried from anger.

The maid dared not argue and listened with her head down.

Lin Yunwan was just ahead.

Lin Yunjiao was angry, and for some reason, she walked over impulsively and stopped Lin Yunwan.

"Stop right there!"

Xiruo had already stepped in front of Lin Yunwan, looking at Lin Yunjiao with hostility and saying, "What does the Second Miss want to do?"

Lin Yunjiao's momentum immediately weakened.

She didn't bring many maids Matron with her when she came to class, but this Xiruo was very strong and really dared to fight! She couldn't afford to be too forceful with this older sister.

Lin Yunjiao retorted defiantly, "Lin Yun Wan, don't be so smug! The truth hasn't been found out yet, and what Lingxiang said isn't true!"

Even if you didn't harm me... don't think you can take what belongs to me!

What my parents gave me is only for me!

Lin Yunwan looked at her expressionlessly, then slowly smiled—a nonchalant smile.

That's absolutely terrifying!

Lin Yunjiao unconsciously took a step back. "What are you laughing at? What's so funny!"

She was furious; she was absolutely livid, and this older sister still dared to laugh.

Lin Yunwan, "I know you're anxious and scared, but you shouldn't be causing me trouble."

Lin Yunjiao frowned, both afraid to listen and eager to hear more.

"Lin Yun Wan, what exactly are you trying to say!"

Lin Yunwan said, "Second Miss, since you're so anxious, why don't you just ask Madam directly? When she was so heartless as to poison herself back then... did she think it wouldn't matter if your child died?"

"Don't hate the wrong person all these years."

Lin Yunjiao's face turned pale. "Shut up! Shut up!"

"My mother would never do such a thing!"

Her parents always doted on her, especially her mother; how could she possibly have almost caused her to not be born?

She doesn't believe it!

Lin Yunjiao broke down in tears and ran towards the Zheng Shi's Courtyard.

Let your Madam worry about this for a while.

Lin Yunwan took Xiruo to the Bixi Hall; she had important things to do.

She had no choice; she had to get married, to marry someone worthy of her.

Now she has a normal reputation; all she's missing is a suitable husband.