The Gold Bracelet

"The girl is making great progress."

Nanny Fan stared wide-eyed at the dragonfly that Lin Yunwan had embroidered.

Lin Yunwan looked flattered and surprised.

Nanny Fan presented it to Old Madam Lin and said, "Take a look!"

Old Madam Lin's eyesight wasn't good enough to see very small things, so she put on her tortoiseshell-patterned glasses, examined them carefully, and nodded, saying, "So lifelike, it looks like it's about to take flight. It's beautifully embroidered!"

Suzhou embroidery is popular in Jiangqian, and many women also learn Beijing embroidery. There are many types of embroidery, and although the styles are different, the quality can be seen at a glance.

The women in those wealthy families are all highly skilled in their own right.

Old Madam Lin also said, "You've indeed made great progress. Yun Wan, you've been working even harder in private lately?"

Lin Yunwan, "Seeing how well my sisters do needlework, I feel anxious. So I can only work harder every night, learning as much as I can."

Both Old Madam Lin and Nanny Fan examined her eyes and found them bloodshot, indicating she wasn't lying.

Old Madam Lin said, "There's no need to rush. Nanny Fan is always here with me. If you have any questions, just come and ask her anytime."

Lin Yunwan nodded, but she still looked anxious.

Both Old Madam Lin and Nanny Fan understood her feelings.

At such an advanced age, she's only just starting to learn needlework, and that's just the most basic stuff. She's never even touched housekeeping or kitchen work, and she knows absolutely nothing about music, chess, calligraphy, or painting.

When it comes to marriage, if the groom's elders are even slightly picky, they won't even want to look at her.

Nanny Fan said, "Since you are so diligent and unafraid of hardship, I'll just have to make things a little harder for you and teach you more things."

Lin Yunwan was very grateful. "Thank you, Granny."

Nanny Fan thought for a moment and told her what additional courses she would take in the future.

She could teach any skill or craft a woman could learn.

But...

Nanny Fan said earnestly, "For a young lady to make a living, she must learn the skills of managing a household, keeping accounts, and controlling subordinates."

"These are things... the young lady will have to learn from the Second Madam."

The household affairs of the Eldest Branch's family could not be entrusted to Lin Yunwan for practice; if she wanted to learn, she could only learn from Zheng Shi.

Everyone knows what kind of person Zheng Shi is.

Nanny Fan willing but unable, said, "Young lady, why don't you learn more from Second Madam? It's better to be influenced by what you see and hear, and to use your own brain more, than to be completely ignorant."

"Thank you for your guidance, Granny Xie. I understand now."

Lin Yunwan curtsied and took her leave. As she walked away, she had already circled the screen in the hall. She heard Old Madam Lin praising her needlework, and the Old Madam said with some surprise, "... You learned really quickly."

She walked away quickly.

It wasn't that she wanted to deliberately arouse suspicion; she simply couldn't wait any longer.

I didn't expect to find someone I liked so quickly. If I can't get past the elders of the Yan family, all my efforts will be in vain.

Just as Nanny Fan said, she had to demonstrate the skills a woman needs to make a living.

Go and pay your respects to Madam.

Lin Yunwan led Xiruo Zheng Shi's place.

Xiruo held up an umbrella and said, "Madam should be up by now."

The Second Branch's household affairs were not many, and Zheng Shi managed the whole household by herself, with almost nothing going wrong. She had a habit of taking a nap in the afternoon, and after waking up, she would leisurely take a bath. When Lin Yunwan returned from Nanny Fan's place, she was full of energy.

Upon arriving at Zheng Shi's place, Lin Yunwan paid her respects, and Zheng Shi said, "From now on, you don't need to come in the mornings; just come at this time every day."

"Good."

The next day, Lin Yunwan went to pay her respects to Zheng Shi at the same time. Before she even went inside, she could hear the sounds of laughter and conversation coming from within.

"Madam."

Lin Yunwan glanced at her and saw a simply dressed woman sitting next to Zheng Shi. She was about the same age as Zheng Shi, but looked much older.

"Yun Wan, come here. This is your maternal aunt. She's been staying at our house for several days now, but you haven't had a chance to greet her yet."

Zheng Shi had a big smile on her face.

Finally, she met her. Lin Yunwan went over to greet her, "Greetings, Concubine Madam."

Wenhai's mother looked at Lin Yunwan with curiosity and asked Zheng Shi in surprise, "This is the Eldest Miss?"

Zheng Shi smiled and said, "That's right! I told you she was good-looking. Look, she's also well-mannered and knowledgeable, even more obedient than my Jiao'er."

Wen Mu looked at Lin Yunwan and nodded.

Judging by her looks and demeanor alone, she's truly remarkable... except her looks are a bit too outstanding! Her son finally managed to pass the imperial examination and become a scholar; if he marries a woman like this, how can he concentrate on his studies?

I heard that the Eldest Miss is not young anymore; I wonder if it will affect her ability to have children.

She couldn't help but feel anxious, but she was also reluctant to give up the wealth of the Lin Residence, since her brother-in-law, Lin Huabin, was an official, at least in a minor position.

Wen Mu smiled and praised Lin Yunwan: "I've long heard that the Eldest Miss is quite remarkable, and seeing her today confirms it."

"Cousin, you really know how to raise a girl. My daughter is still young, and she'll be getting married in a few years. I'll have to ask you for advice on how you raised such an outstanding daughter."

She also has a daughter in the countryside, but she needs to focus on her son's education and marriage first, so she doesn't want to bring her daughter out and cause trouble.

Zheng Shi smiled faintly.

She knew her younger female cousin was just flattering her, but she was impatient to hear anything about her stepdaughter, so she changed the subject.

Wen Mu seemed to like Lin Yunwan very much, and even gave her a simple gold bracelet as a gift.

Lin Yunwan did not want to accept it.

Wen Mu said, "Good child, this is a gift from your maternal aunt. It's from an elder, why are you shy?"

Lin Yunwan Xiruo accept it.

Xiruo, she was strong enough to accidentally squeeze the bracelet as soon as she picked it up, and it turned out to be hollow and visibly deflated.

Wen Mu clearly saw it, but her expression changed, and she pretended not to see it.

She felt very uncomfortable.

How could the maid carry that! Although the bracelet is very light, it took her cutting off her own flesh to get it out.

"Thank you, Concubine Madam."

Lin Yunwan lowered her head and smiled, pretending not to see the pain in Wen Mu's eyes.

Zheng Shi thought to herself, "My younger female cousin is so petty!"

I already told my younger female cousin that her stepdaughter has seen good things before. She should be more generous on their first meeting, not just offer a flimsy bracelet to appease her. Even Yun Wan's maids probably wouldn't be interested!

Zheng Shi forced a smile and said, "Yun Wan, sit down and chat with your maternal aunt!"

Lin Yunwan had just sat down when someone barged in.

She was startled.

Who is this? Wenhai, Lin Yunjiao's scholar Cousin?

"Mother, maternal aunt."

Judging from the man's address, it was indeed him.

Lin Yunwan remained seated, not looking at Wenhai.

Wenhai didn't look at Lin Yunwan either.

He didn't actually barge in; he arrived before Lin Yunwan. He had simply gone back to change his clothes before coming back to sit with her.

Wenhai knew he would run into Lin Yunwan today; that was how his mother and maternal aunt Zheng had arranged it.

But he was actually quite scared.

When my second younger female cousin first appeared, she was holding scissors and trying to kill him and his mother. I wonder if my eldest cousin is just as crazy...

"Wenhai, why don't you greet your cousin?"

Wenhai bowed his head and greeted Lin Yunwan.

Lin Yunwan and curtsied. After Wenhai sat down, she said, "Madam, I'm not feeling well, so I'll head back now."

Zheng Shi did not stop her.

As soon as Lin Yunwan left, Wen Mu became anxious and said to Zheng Shi, "I think the Eldest Miss is excellent! I like her from the bottom of my heart."

Zheng Shi muttered to himself.

Her petty younger female cousin has been greedy since childhood. She doesn't actually like Yun Wan; she only likes Yun Wan's dowry!

But that's fine too. Wouldn't it be too easy for the stepdaughter if she didn't take anything for herself?

She'd rather have a distant younger female cousin who's not very close to her than have her stepdaughter live too well after getting married!

Wen Mu hurried closer to Zheng Shi, smiling as she asked, "The Eldest Miss isn't engaged yet, is she? Cousin, what are your thoughts? I wonder if my Wenhai, cousin, and brother-in-law like him?"

Zheng Shi also wanted to facilitate the marriage, but since her husband wouldn't budge, she didn't dare to make a decision.

She smiled and said, "I am very satisfied with Wenhai. However, Master really dotes on Eldest Miss, so he will only nod his head if Eldest Miss agrees herself."

The implication is quite clear: Wenhai will have to put in some effort if he wants to marry her stepdaughter!

Wen Mu smiled and said, "I know, I know. Everyone's afraid their daughter will be wronged. But our family will never let our daughter-in-law suffer."

Wenhai lowered his head, not daring to speak, his mind filled with the image of the Second Miss going mad.

He was truly powerless and couldn't possibly win a fight.

"Young lady, the Madam did it on purpose!"

Xiruo said indignantly.

Lin Yunwan said, "It's alright. Let's go see the Second Miss's... Courtyard."

After leaving Zheng Shi's Courtyard, she turned and went to Lin Yunjiao's courtyard gate.

She had promised Lin Huabin she wouldn't visit Lin Yunjiao, but if Lin Yunjiao herself wanted to interfere in her affairs, she couldn't control that.

As the mistress and servant passed by, the maid who guarded the gate of Lin Yunjiao's Courtyard immediately went over to inform them.

"Second Miss, the Eldest Miss is coming from Madam's Courtyard, wearing a gold bracelet on her wrist!"

Lin Yunjiao.

She had just started to take an interest in dressing up when she heard that Lin Yunwan was wearing a gold bracelet. At first, she said dismissively, "What's so special about a bracelet?"

The maid said, "That's true... but I find the bracelet strange; it seems like Eldest Miss is showing it off."

"Showing off?"

Lin Yunjiao scoffed, "What's so great about a broken bracelet?"

She quickly found out where Lin Yunwan's gold bracelet came from, and threw a tantrum in the Courtyard: "She has one but I don't?"

"What kind of maternal aunt is this! Looks like my scissors weren't sharp enough last time! I should have shredded their clothes and hair!"

"No, I have to go check it out!"

When Lin Yunwan went to pay her respects again, Lin Yunjiao followed. When Wenhai saw her, he turned pale with fright and lowered his head, telling himself, "A good man doesn't fight with a woman." He silently repeated this to himself three times.