Helping Her

"The Prince certainly didn't appear here by chance."

Xiruo also saw Qi Lingheng and spoke Lin Yunwan.

Lin Yunwan moved her red lips slightly and whispered, "... Go and pay your respects to the Prince."

There were also maids from the Lin Residence nearby, so she couldn't move around easily and could only let Xiruo slip by in the chaos.

Xiruo nodded, stepped back, and said loudly, "Miss, this servant will also go down and check the situation."

"Go."

Lin Yunwan watched Xiruo leave.

Xi Ruo had martial arts skills; Xiruo the chaos on the street, she easily slipped away from the crowd and went up to the second floor.

Lin Yunwan saw Qi Lingheng disappear from the opposite side very quickly.

He went to Xiruo.

Not long after Xiruo returned to Lin Yunwan's side. She first sighed and said, "The guards haven't arrived yet, Miss, please wait a little longer," deliberately letting the maid beside her hear. Then she whispered to Lin Yunwan, "The Prince wants to say... he wants to help you."

Oh?

Does the Prince know what she's planning to do? How does he intend to help her?

Lin Yunwan looked at Qi Lingheng.

He smiled slightly on the other end and glanced down at the street.

"The guards are here."

Xiruo reminded Lin Yunwan.

Lin Yunwan also looked down at the scene below. A group of soldiers in armor rushed into the crowd, followed by soldiers on horseback. Soon, the soldiers on horseback reached the front, presumably the leaders of the soldiers.

"Stop!"

"Get out of the way! Get out of the way! Anyone who dares to lay a hand on me—"

"The guards are arresting people! Run!"

Run!

The throng of people took off running, and the head of the garrison shouted, "Not a single one is allowed to run!"

At that point, nobody listened to him.

If you can't escape, you'll be caught and taken to the authorities. At best, you'll be flogged; at worst, you'll be imprisoned. Your family will have to spend money to get you out. Anyone who doesn't run away is a fool!

Lu Rong didn't want to be a fool.

"Ouch... ouch..."

But his leg was broken and in excruciating pain, so he simply couldn't run.

Lu Rong called out the servant's name, but couldn't find the servant anywhere.

He struggled to his feet, staggered a couple of steps, and was suddenly struck hard on the back, his spine hitting him.

"Ah..."

"Mother..."

I remember nothing, then I closed my eyes and fainted... maybe I'm dead!

Lin Yunwan and Xiruo saw everything clearly from upstairs: a soldier knocked Lu Rong unconscious.

"Girl, it's A Fu."

A Fu was wearing an inconspicuous blue robe; if he hadn't revealed his identity, no one would have known he was Eunuch serving the Prince.

He stood next to the guard who had made the move, and disappeared in a short while.

"Your Prince..."

Lin Yunwan murmured, then looked up and saw that Qi Lingheng was gone.

He really knew what she wanted to do!

"Young lady, the gamblers down below are causing trouble. The guards have already dealt with them and will clear a path soon."

The Stewardess found out what was going on and came up.

Lin Yunwan put on her veil and said gently, "Mom, you've worked hard. It's still chaotic outside, let's wait a bit before going down."

The Stewardess, still shaken, said, "That's exactly what I meant."

She walked over to Lin Yunwan's side, keeping an eye on the commotion downstairs, and said to Lin Yunwan, "Today has been really unlucky. The Old Madam and the Eldest Madam have never encountered anything like this before."

Lin Yunwan gently reassured her, "With the guards here, it's alright."

The Stewardess smiled and responded.

The wait had been a bit long, Xiruo poured a cup of tea for Lin Yunwan. Lin Yunwan took the teacup, wearing a veil, and took a sip. The coachman came up and stood on the stairs, not daring to approach his mistress, and said with his head down, "The carriage can now travel down there."

Lin Yunwan then went downstairs with the Stewardess.

Her mother helped her into the carriage, and they rode away.

Qi Lingheng, watching the Lin Residence's carriage drive away from the second floor of the tavern, smiled faintly and asked A Fu, "Can you guess what she's up to?"

A Fu paused for a moment, then said, "Perhaps the young lady has taken pity on that Madam Dong?"

Qi Lingheng shook his head.

A Fu said, "That Lu Rong is truly a scoundrel. Miss Lin is kind-hearted, perhaps..."

"No maybe."

Qi Lingheng said in a deep voice, "She has compassion, but she's not the only thing she has."

She wouldn't easily intervene for someone else just out of compassion.

Back at the Prince's residence, Qi Lingheng pressed his temples, feeling increasingly irritated Xiruo he recalled Xiruo's words that "the young lady is very decisive."

What's bothering him?

\

"Young lady, the master requests your presence."

As soon as Lin Yunwan arrived home, Nanny Zhao came to deliver a message.

"Knew."

Lin Yunwan had already guessed that Lin Huabin wanted to see her, so she changed her clothes and went over.

"Master."

Lin Yunwan greeted Lin Huabin.

Zheng Shi wasn't in the house. The household was in complete chaos today; Lin Yunjiao was probably contemplating suicide. How could Zheng Shi possibly have time to come and cause her trouble?

Lin Huabin managed a smile, but it seemed somewhat forced. "Yun Wan, please sit down. Your father wants to chat with you casually."

With many servants around, he referred to himself as his father, being very cautious.

Lin Yunwan curtsied and sat down, saying, "Okay."

Lin Huabin waved his hand, dismissing the man.

Xiruo glanced at Lin Yunwan, nodded, and left, standing at the doorway.

She couldn't hear what the people inside were saying, but she could see how the master treated the girl.

"Did you go out to burn incense again today?"

Lin Huabin smiled knowingly and asked, "It's good to worship the gods, but you're an unmarried young woman, so you should stay home as much as possible."

Lin Yunwan said calmly, "Master, you don't know, I did this to keep the Old Madam."

"Oh! I see."

Lin Huabin smiled and said, "Since I'm accompanying the Old Madam... it's only right."

What wasn't he aware of?

Lin Yunwan feigned ignorance in front of him. "If Master doesn't like the younger generation accompanying the Old Madam, then..."

Lin Huabin's smile stiffened slightly, "Not at all. We would be more than happy if you were willing to Filial Piety the Old Madam on behalf of our parents."

He quickly got to the point. "Relatives came to visit. My Madam originally wanted you to meet them today, but unfortunately, the Old Madam took you to offer incense, so you didn't get to see them; your sister did."

Lin Yunwan, waiting for him to vomit little by little.

Lin Huabin couldn't hold back any longer and asked, with a hint of accusation, "I heard you went to see Yun Jiao yesterday? Why would you go to see your sister out of the blue?"

Lin Yunwan smiled and said, "Relatives have come to visit, but I'm the only one going to see them while my sister isn't—Master, that's not very nice."

After all, he wasn't her relative, but he was Lin Yunjiao's real relative!

If Zheng Shi hadn't had such a wicked idea and invited some shady relatives, would things have come to this?

"But... isn't Jiao'er sick?"

Lin Huabin didn't mince words anymore, first saying tactfully, "You know Jiao'er's personality; I've spoiled her a bit, making her a little arrogant, unlike you who are more mature and sensible."

He cut to the chase. "Yun Wan, did Jiao'er say something to provoke her yesterday? It made Jiao'er lose her composure in front of the relatives today."

Lin Yunwan continued to feign ignorance, "Something exciting?"

She thought for a long time before saying, "I didn't say anything..."

He repeated what she had said.

Actually, she didn't say anything. It was just that her first words when she knocked on the door that made Lin Yunjiao's mind wander. The rest of her words were just ordinary conversation. Lin Yunjiao herself picked out the harsh words and listened to them. Who can she blame?

That's all you said?

Lin Huabin listened for a long time but didn't find anything wrong with it.

Lin Yunwan said, "That's all I've said." She added, "If Master doesn't believe me, go and confront the Second Miss."

"That's not necessary."

Lin Huabin seemed to trust Lin Yunwan a lot.

Since it wasn't Lin Yunwan instigated it, he let it go. He instructed her, "... Jiao'er is sick, so don't go see her anymore. Let her rest well."

"Yes."

Lin Huabin added, "It's rare for relatives to come to our house. Yun Wan, you're the Eldest Miss, you should go and see your family."

Lin Yunwan smiled slightly, "Okay."

After leaving Lin Huabin's place, Xiruo very dissatisfied with this fake master. "Miss, why did you agree to meet Madam's relatives? We don't even know who they are!"

Lin Yunwan smiled faintly and said, "How can I meet my ideal husband if I don't agree to the meeting?"

Shuangshuang has already picked out a man for her; if she waits any longer, he'll be getting married soon!