The Red Phoenix Star

"Madam."

Lin Yunwan came to pay her respects to Zheng Shi, but she glanced at Lin Yunjiao first.

She lowered her head and smiled.

Xiruo looked puzzled, unable to see anything amiss.

Lin Yunwan thought to herself, "My adopted younger sister has really changed. She always arrives earlier than me."

"Yun Wan, please sit down."

Zheng Shi was too lazy to torment Lin Yunwan anymore. Wenhai and his mother were both here, what a rare opportunity! Let them get to know each other better and settle the marriage as soon as possible.

"Yes."

Lin Yunwan sat down, and Lin Yunjiao glanced at her and gave a soft snort.

"My sister has become much prettier in just a few days."

Lin Yunwan unusually praised Lin Yunjiao.

Her face flushed, and she blinked haughtily, asking, "Really?"

Lin Yunwan and said, "Yes."

How come this elder sister even knows how to praise people?

Lin Yunjiao had some doubts, but she was also very happy. Her efforts in dressing up today had not been in vain. Even her elder sister had seen her, so... even a blind person should be able to see her beauty!

However, when Zheng Shi heard these words and looked at her daughter, her eyes immediately changed.

"Jiao'er, come here."

Zheng Shi asked Lin Yunjiao to sit next to her. Her daughter usually sat next to her; why had she recently preferred to sit with Yun Wan?

Yun Jiao got up and sat down next to Zheng Shi.

Zheng Shi scrutinized Lin Yunjiao, Lin Yunjiao and said, "Mother, what are you looking at! There are guests here."

What are you looking at? Look at our daughter, her face suddenly looks rosy!

Her daughter was already beautiful, but today she was dressed up carefully, with delicate eyebrows and a bright, lively look, making her even more beautiful than usual.

Has my daughter finally come to her senses and started dressing up again?

Not wanting to say anything in front of her relatives, Zheng Shi kept quiet about the matter.

Wen Mu couldn't resist praising Zheng Shi, saying with a smile, "Second Miss looks just like you; she's beautiful even without makeup."

Lin Yunjiao turned to look at Wen Mu: "Thank you for the compliment, maternal aunt."

She seemed a little smug, and also deliberately lowered herself to speak to Wen Mu.

Even Wen Mu was taken aback.

The Second Miss was so easy to talk to today!

Lin Yunwan smiled without saying a word, waiting to see what she had discovered.

Coming today was definitely the right decision.

Zheng Shi felt something was strange, but the thought quickly passed.

My daughter is finally back to normal! That's wonderful!

"Yun Wan, your cousin Wenhai's poem is very well written. It's embarrassing for me in the Zhao family that you can't write poetry. I'd like to ask your cousin Wenhai for some pointers."

"So that you won't go to any banquets in the future and still not be able to compose poetry, making people laugh at you and think that the young ladies of the Lin Residence are uneducated."

Having just put her daughter's matter aside, she was eager to matchmake Lin Yunwan Wenhai.

Lin Yunwan disagreed. "Madam, there's a difference between men and women. At my age, it's... probably not appropriate for me to be learning poetry with my cousin."

Before Zheng Shi could say anything, Lin Yunjiao chimed in, "Exactly."

She muttered to herself, "Mother, if anyone's going to learn, it should be me first. Who gave her a chance?"

Zheng Shi glared at Lin Yunjiao.

That silly girl!

Doesn't she seem eager to get rid of Lin Yunwan from the Lin Residence as soon as possible?

What's so good about Wenhai?

We should fight for this.

Zheng Shi continued, "The writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone are all readily available in the Side Room."

"We're all family, Yun Wan, you don't need to be so formal."

Lin Yunjiao bit her lip and said with dissatisfaction, "Mother!"

Zheng Shi rolled her eyes at her, telling her not to meddle at this time.

Lin Yunwan looked troubled. "Madam, I've already learned a lot from Nanny Fan, but my sister isn't taking classes with Nanny Fan anymore."

"Madam don't feel the need to avoid suspicion, why don't you give this opportunity to your younger sister?"

"Who asked you to give way!"

Lin Yunjiao's temper flared up immediately.

She can't stand the word "let" anymore, especially when it comes from Lin Yunwan's mouth; it really infuriates her.

Wenhai, who had been silent, suddenly felt panicked.

He quickly stood up and bowed, "maternal aunt, Mother, I... I... I'm not skilled enough to teach you sisters, so I'll take my leave now..."

Before Zheng Shi Wen Mu could say anything, he had already slipped away.

"I told you you shouldn't meddle in women's affairs..."

Wenhai left, clutching his pounding heart. What he feared most was matters between women. Women and petty men were hard to teach; they would resort to violence at the drop of a hat, which could cost him his life!

Zheng Shi stared dumbfounded at the still-shaking curtain.

What a coward.

You can't make a good impression on someone who's hopeless!

Lin Yunjiao stood up, gave a low snort, and curtsied with a sour face. "I am not feeling well, I will take my leave."

He left in a huff.

Zheng Shi took a deep breath and managed to suppress the urge to grab her daughter and scold her.

Her Jiao'er had just recovered; what if she got so angry that she went on a hunger strike again? How could she possibly persuade her to stop?

Don't get angry, don't get angry...

There was no need for Lin Yunwan to sit down any longer.

"Madam, I'll take my leave."

With her eyes closed, Zheng Shi waved her hand and said, "Go, go!"

If she weren't afraid of ruining the marriage, she would have already acted impolitely!

Everyone left in an instant, leaving only Zheng Shi Wen Mu.

Staring at each other, Zheng Shi vented her anger on Wen Mu: "Honestly, how did you raise Wenhai like that! He's completely useless."

"I've already pushed Yun Wan right in front of him, what more do you want from me, her maternal aunt?"

"Am I supposed to send him there—"

Zheng Shi held back and didn't say anything crazy.

Wen Mu said awkwardly, "Cousin, don't be angry. This child has always been very honest. I'll definitely teach him a lesson when I get back."

Zheng Shi said irritably, "He really needs to be taught a lesson! He's come over so many times, I'm afraid he still doesn't even know what Yun Wan looks like."

Wen Mu dared not retort.

Because Zheng Shi was right, her son had always been timid, and unless provoked, he would only know how to hide when faced with trouble.

I'm tired.

"I'm rubbing my temples, "Zheng Shi said.

Wen Mu stood up briskly and said, "Cousin, you should rest well. I won't disturb you any longer."

She hurried off to go back and reason with her son, trying to get him to take the initiative.

"Really..."

After Lin Yunwan came out, she didn't rush back, but followed Lin Yunjiao at a distance to see what she was doing.

Xiruo said, "Miss, it seems the Second Miss is following Cousin Young Master."

Lin Yunwan: "It's not just a possibility, it's certain."

Lin Yunjiao appeared to be strolling around, but her eyes were never leaving Wenhai.

Her Red Phoenix Star has set in motion.

"I wonder what your Madam will think if she finds out."

Lin Yunwan was very curious.

Xiruo chuckled and said, "Madam must be so angry her nose is crooked."

Thinking of that situation, Lin Yunwan smiled and said, "Second Miss is still a troublemaker. Just wait and see."

The next day, Lin Yunwan went to learn the zither from Nanny Fan.

During the break, she went to serve tea to the Old Madam. Eldest Madam Lin came over, greeted the Old Madam Lin, and announced the good news, "It's a boy!"

Lin Yunwan then learned that the Eldest Master had gained another Legitimate Grandson.

Old Madam Lin sighed, chanting Buddhist prayers, and said, "Your first legitimate grandson died several years ago. After such a long wait, you've finally had another legitimate son."

The Eldest Madam was also very happy.

"Yes, if there's no legitimate heir, even I can't sit still!"

Old Madam Lin smiled and said, "It's time to start preparing for the full moon celebration banquet."

The Eldest Madam had come for this very reason, and she asked, "Should we invite Prince Huan or not?"

Old Madam Lin's high seniority, it's perfectly reasonable for her to invite the Prince to her birthday celebration.

But if a baby is born into the family, it's optional to invite them.

After thinking for a moment, Old Madam Lin said, "Please. It doesn't matter whether the Prince comes or not; we should just do what we should do."

Lin Yunwan sat in front of the zither, lost in thought about what the Old Madam and the Eldest Madam had said, and her mind wandered a little before she began to play the zither.

Will he come?

I wonder how his preparations for the wedding are going.