The Essay

"The Old Master's nephew's wife from the West Lin Residence was celebrating her birthday. Since they had already separated their households, she rented Garden on Ji Mountain to celebrate."

"I heard that all the young ladies from West Lin Residence are going there. Don't hold back Yun Wan and Yun Jiao; let Zheng Shi take them with her."

Lin Huabin cupped his hands and said, "My son understands."

Old Madam Lin glanced at the time and said, "It's getting late. Perfect timing, you should take Yun Wan back with you."

"Yes."

Lin Yunwan up and took her leave with Lin Huabin.

Back at the Second Branch's residence, Lin Huabin said to Lin Yunwan, "The Old Madam has treated you very well."

He would only visit her once a month at most to pay his respects, Old Madam usually didn't gossip about him. But this time, she actually spoke to him about Yun Wan's matter.

It's clear that she likes him, her "daughter."

Lin Yunwan wasn't sure if Lin Huabin meant anything by that, so she said, "The Old Madam is kind-hearted..."

Lin Huabin smiled slightly.

The Old Madam was no kind-hearted person; when she got ruthless, even his Elder Brother was afraid of her.

However, it's not a bad thing if her mother treats Yun Wan better.

"I'm going to see Madam, so don't come with me. Did you hear what the Old Madam said? Go back and prepare your clothes for visiting her."

"Yes."

Lin Yunwan returned to the Bixi Hall, and Lin Huabin went to find Zheng Shi.

The couple's relationship is now very delicate. Although Lin Huabin is very unhappy with some of the things Zheng Shi has done, he still hopes that Zheng Shi will act a little like before... just like when they were children.

But Zheng Shi dared not do it again.

"Master, you're back?"

Looking at her husband's expression, Zheng Shi felt it was gentle and that he wouldn't lose his temper again, so she smiled and said, "It's so hot, you should go wash up and change your clothes."

Lin Huabin was already undressing. Zheng Shi reached out to help him, and then heard him say, "A relative is celebrating a birthday at the West Lin Residence. It's the Old Master's niece-in-law. Our Old Madam said you should take your two daughters over."

The relationship was too complicated. After a pause, Zheng Shi finally understood and said, "... Alright. But Jiao'er is still sick. Alas, she's half sick and half throwing a tantrum. Master, why don't you go and persuade her yourself?"

Lin Huabin agreed.

He also said to Zheng Shi, "By the way, have—have—write an article for me."

They were relatives of Zheng Shi's maternal family, but he still didn't know their names.

Feeling that something good was about to happen, Zheng Shi asked expectantly, "What do you need Wenhai's articles for?"

Lin Huabin thought for a moment before saying, "There's an academy in Ji Mountain where many of Jiangqian's students who achieved good academic results are enrolled."

"Wen... Wenhai, he's new here, he doesn't know anyone, and he's nobody. How am I supposed to talk about him after this?"

How did he introduce this prospective son-in-law to Zhao Jingyi?

Lin Huabin continued, "I'll read his article first. If it's well-written, I'll have someone invite him in."

A scholar who has joined the Ji Mountain Society and is quite capable would surely please Zhao Jingyi. If he were to become his son-in-law, it would be a respectable thing to talk about in the future.

"OK!"

Zheng Shi was even happier than Lin Huabin, because those were relatives from her maternal family!

Previously, the Lin Residence family looked down on the Zheng family for having little background, but having an outstanding scholar was a trophy for them.

After Lin Huabin left, Zheng Shi immediately told Nanny Fan, "Have Wenhai write an article, it has to be excellent, and tell him that I am of great use to you."

Just as Nanny Fan was about to leave.

Suddenly remembering something, Zheng Shi called her back and added, "It would be best if it were tomorrow!"

Nanny Fan said, "Madam, you can't write a proper eight-legged essay in one night!"

"Use your brain! Couldn't you have just asked him to bring an older one?"

"... yes."

Nanny Fan didn't know what her Madam was thinking, but she felt that things were being done too hastily.

Isn't it said that good articles are the result of painstaking effort?

Zheng Shi could no longer contain herself and told her her plan, "If his writing catches the master's eye, I'll take him with me to the birthday banquet in the West Lin Residence, so he can show off his skills in front of the relatives."

Nanny Fan thought it was a good idea.

Perhaps the Eldest Miss has taken a liking to Cousin Young Master Wenhai, and Madam will have no worries.

"This servant will go right away."

When Nanny Fan returned, she brought an article with her.

Zheng Shi showed the article to Lin Huabin: "Sir, please take a look."

"So fast?"

Lin Huabin reeked of soap. He picked up the article, read it carefully, and paced around the room.

"Well written."

He put down his writings and picked up his pen to write a letter to a young man, entrusting him with the task of bringing Wenhai into the Ji Mountain Society.

Seeing that everything was settled, Zheng Shi asked curiously, "Master, why don't you join the Ji Mountain Society?"

Lin Huabin straightened his back and said with an air of authority, "... They're all youngsters, what would I do there?"

He already held an official position, and although the younger generation had surpassed him, he very much wanted to befriend them... but he couldn't very well mingle among them.

"That's right."

Zheng Shi was embarrassed.

\

On the day the banquet was held in Ji Mountain Garden, all the young wives and girls from East Lin Residence went out together.

The Eldest Madam and Zheng Shi also went over, while the third Madam was unwell and stayed home to look after the house.

"Miss, the Second Miss has also decided to go out."

Xiruo helped Lin Yunwan into the carriage, and when she turned her head, she saw Lin Yunjiao also getting into the carriage.

She stood beside the carriage and lifted the curtain.

Lin Yunwan looked over and saw Lin Yunjiao face, still looking unhappy. When the maid accidentally lost her balance, Lin Yunjiao glared at her... If it weren't for the crowd, the maid would have been slapped.

"Not only the Second Miss, but all of Madam's relatives went along."

Lin Yunwan spotted another carriage.

Zheng Shi's eldest sister-in-law had already returned home, but Wenhai and his mother stayed behind.

Zheng Shi instructed the servants in the manor, "They will stay to keep my master and me company and entertain us well. Young Master Wenhai is a man, so tell the maids in the back courtyard not to approach him casually."

The mother and son settled down comfortably at the Lin Residence.

Xiruo also saw Wenhai, the Cousin Young Master. She stared at him for a long time before Lin Yunwan told her to get into the carriage.

"Stop looking."

Xiruo nodded, got into the carriage, and said, "Miss, did you see that just now? Cousin Young Master's chest was bulging; I wonder what he'd stuffed inside."

What could it be? A stack of papers, I suppose.

Lin Yunwan said calmly, "When scholars who are not familiar with each other get to know each other, they rely on reading each other's articles. He brought many excellent works with him, so it seems he has made ample preparations and wants to stand out from the crowd."

Xiruo frowned and said, "It must have been Madam's idea."

Lin Yunwan didn't take it to heart.

This time, she went to the Garden in Ji Mountain to see the other scholars of the Ji Mountain Society. She had a very good impression of some of them and wondered what they would look like in person.

"What a lovely Garden!"

Upon arriving at Ji Mountain, they climbed the mountain and entered the Garden the maids and servants were captivated by the scenery.

Servants from the West Lin Residence had already come to greet them.

"Madam Young Madam, the Flower Hall is this way."

After leading everyone from the East Lin Residence into the Flower Hall, Lin Yunwan paid her respects to the elders from the West Lin Residence and then saw Dong Shuangshuang.

Dong Shuangshuang smiled at her and had someone hand her a note.

There are three words written on it.

--Xiaoxiang Pavilion.