Chickens Fly and Dogs Jump

"Madam dotes on the young lady; these are new clothes Madam specially ordered to be made for her."

Fearing that Lin Yunwan might overthink things, Nanny Fan added, "The household needs plenty of summer clothes for the young lady. These were given to her by Madam herself."

Xiruo didn't give her a pleasant look.

They seized Miss Lin's mother's dowry and sent over these few sets of clothes; do they expect them to be grateful?

Thinking she had won people over with her words, Nanny Fan smiled and added, "Tomorrow at the welcome banquet for our relatives, Miss, you must come wearing the clothes Madam gave you."

Lin Yunwan didn't seem to care much about a few outfits, and asked casually, "There are men at the banquet, would Madam mind if I went?"

Of course that's not good!

But Madam your wife wants to find you a husband, then there's nothing wrong with that.

Nanny Fan said with a forced smile, "Why is the girl so honest? They're all family relatives, there's no need for such formalities."

She stepped closer and explained, "They're all from your maternal uncle maternal uncle's wife's family; they're not outsiders."

Xiruo said sternly, "Speak properly! Are they the young lady's maternal uncle maternal uncle's wife?"

She reminded Nanny Fan, "The girl's biological mother was also a lawfully wedded Madam!"

Since she wasn't born to Concubine, she could only recognize her stepmother's brothers as her maternal uncles. Miss Lin has her own maternal uncles!

Nanny Fan took a step back.

That maid is too fierce! If it weren't for the master's indulgence, she would have been beaten to death long ago!

She gave an awkward smile, "... Eldest Miss, they're all family relatives. Master has also agreed."

Lin Yunwan nodded and asked Nanny Fan, "Is the Second Miss the same as me?"

"What?"

Nanny Fan didn't understand.

Lin Yunwan said, "Is the Second Miss also wearing new clothes to meet relatives, just like me?"

How can they be the same?

The Second Miss is the apple of the Madam's eye; why should she see those kinds of relatives?

Knowing this was inappropriate, Nanny Fan quickly came up with an excuse, saying nervously, "Second Miss is ill, as you know. She's still in her room and refuses to come out!"

She sighed, "So, Madam can only ask you, young lady, to go and keep the elders company."

"I see."

Lin Yunwan dismissed Nanny Fan.

Xiruo saw her leave, she asked, "Miss, are you going?"

Lin Yunwan smiled and said, "Is that even a question? Let's go see the Second Miss."

"I heard she often goes on hunger strikes out of boredom, so I've come to find her something to do."

He took Xiruo see Lin Yunjiao.

Lin Yunjiao locked herself in the Courtyard, unwilling to see anyone, especially Lin Yunwan.

Before Lin Yunwan even entered, she heard shouts coming from the main room, "Tell her to get out of here! If she dares to come any closer, I'll kill her with my sword!"

Xiruo was afraid that Lin Yunjiao would go berserk inside and smash things, injuring Lin Yunwan in the process.

She went to stand at the front.

Lin Yunwan pulled Xiruo and said to Lin Yunjiao inside, "Relatives have come to visit. Don't you want to know why Madam doesn't care whether you live or die, but instead invites relatives over as guests?"

There was complete silence inside.

Lin Yunjiao opened the door, and she had indeed lost weight. She wasn't faking a hunger strike; she genuinely didn't want to eat.

He glared at Lin Yunwan and said, "Speak up!"

Lin Yunwan looked around, then asked with a faint smile, "You want me to say it here?"

"Aren't you afraid that your maids will all..."

Lin Yunjiao said irritably, "Then hurry up and come in!" She reluctantly made way for Lin Yunwan.

Lin Yunwan went in beside her, said something in her room, and then took Xiruo back to the Bixi Hall.

Lin Yunjiao didn't speak to anyone all night.

The next day, there was a banquet at home, and Nanny Fan did not come to teach Lin Yunwan.

Lin Yunwan changed into a new outfit early in the morning. Although it wasn't one of the sets that Zheng Shi had sent over, it was still very presentable.

Zheng Shi was very satisfied after hearing what Nanny Fan said.

The only thing he was unhappy about Lin Yunwan's statement that she wanted to pay her respects to Old Madam Lin.

She told Nanny Fan, "The Old Madam dislikes being disturbed, so please tell her to visit less often in the future."

Nanny Fan was in a difficult position. "Madam, how can I say that? If Master hears this, it will be terrible, and then it will spread to the east and west mansions..."

Something terrible is about to happen.

The Old Madam doesn't want to be disturbed, which is different from the Old Madam not allowing her grandchildren to come and Filial Piety Madam. Putting that label on anyone is something no one can bear.

Annoyed, Zheng Shi snapped, "I was just saying it casually, why are you talking back!"

Nanny Fan didn't dare to talk back.

She muttered to herself, "If she doesn't talk back, the Madam might really send her to deliver the message."

Zheng Shi picked up her teacup, then impatiently slammed it onto the table. The bracelet on her wrist clanged, and when she looked up, she saw it was cracked! This was bad luck.

She felt increasingly uncomfortable.

Ever since her stepdaughter came home, nothing seems to go right for her!

How are the banquet arrangements going?

Nanny Fan breathed a sigh of relief; finally, the question had gotten to the point.

She smiled and said, "Everything is arranged perfectly. You'll see when you get there, Madam."

Zheng Shi didn't want to go over there. It was getting hot, and she needed to change her bracelet... It would be best if she could marry off her stepdaughter. She couldn't lose face in front of her sister-in-law from her maternal family. She wouldn't wear this cracked bracelet again. She also needed to change her head jewelry to a matching set, and her hair had to be styled again.

"You go first, I'll change my bracelet and jewelry and then go. I'll also invite my family over. And I'll send someone to urge the Eldest Miss."

"Yes."

Nanny Fan was eager to leave, and once she received instructions, she took her men and went over.

When it was time for the lunch banquet, Zheng Shi went to the Mandarin Duck Hall in the backyard on time, but the guests did not arrive for a long time.

The maid rushed over in a panic, saying, "Madam, Madam! Something's happened!"

Zheng Shi frowned. What could possibly happen at home?

She looked at the maid and asked, "Stand up and speak properly! Where did Nanny Fan take the guests?"

The maid swallowed hard before saying, "Nanny Fan is trying to break up the fight. The Second Miss and her Madam are fighting!"

What are you saying?!

Zheng Shi was stunned for a moment before realizing that her daughter had gotten into a fight with her family. How could this be?

She hurriedly got down from her seat, grabbed the maid, and asked, "What exactly happened?"

The maid shook her head, nearly crying in fear, "This servant doesn't know either. Nanny Fan brought my Madam and Cousin Young Master over, Second Miss suddenly appeared out of nowhere, grabbed a pair of scissors, and tried to cut us..."

Zheng Shi was so anxious that her legs went weak, and she pushed aside the maid and rushed over.

When they arrived, they saw Nanny Fan and her Matron dragging people away. Lin Yunjiao was holding scissors, her hair was disheveled, and her hairpins had fallen to the ground. She was shouting, "Who do you think you are, daring to wear my things! Take them off!"

"Sleep in my bed! Why should I sleep in your bed!"

"Let me go! Let me go! Who dares to stop me!"

Upon hearing this, Zheng Shi's vision blurred, and she, supported by her maid, exclaimed, "... She's gone mad! She's gone mad!"

What on earth is this girl saying?!

She was only worried that the scholar's mother was dressed too shabbily and that her stepdaughter wouldn't like it, so she gave them some bolts of cloth and old clothes. The bed in the guest room was an unused item from the storeroom! So many people had slept on it!

Zheng Shi's voice trembled. "Quickly pull the Second Miss away from me!"

In her haste, she didn't forget to ask, "Where is the Eldest Miss? Where is she?"

The banquet was arranged so that the stepdaughter could come and meet the scholar from the Zheng family's relatives; why wasn't she there?

Lin Yunwan and Old Madam Lin had already arrived at Ci'en Temple.

Old Madam Lin took her to stroll through the bamboo grove and told her, "When I was young, my favorite thing to do was go out to burn incense. Back then, my parents were strict, and I could only go out once a year, during festivals or holidays, to burn incense."

Lin Yunwan listened with her head down.

Old Madam Lin held Lin Yunwan's hand, smiled faintly, and actually praised her, "Nanny Fan said you are excellent at drawing and learn needlework quickly. I didn't even know we had such a clever girl in our household."

Lin Yunwan wasn't pleased to hear this; her heart sank slightly. Was the Old Madam speaking casually, or was there a hidden meaning in her words?

"It's cool there, let's go sit down."

Old Madam Lin led Lin Yunwan over. Lin Yunwan's expression was gentle and calm as she said, "Please walk slowly." She thought to herself, "The Second Branch of the Lin Residence must be in complete chaos by now."