Conspiring in secret

"Sir, this is an invitation sent by my Eldest Sister-in-law."

Zheng Shi handed it to Lin Huabin to look at.

Since the Third Branches of the Lin Residence had separated, they still had to send invitations to their brothers' homes when they were holding their own big celebrations.

Lin Huabin accepted the invitation and asked, "What's the good news?"

Zheng Shi smiled and said, "You've gained Legitimate Grandnephew."

Lin Huabin smiled and casually said, "I wonder when I'll be able to treat you to a drink, Elder Brother."

Zheng Shi's expression immediately turned sour.

Her womb is uncooperative; she hasn't even given birth to a Legitimate Son yet, so how can she expect to have Legitimate Grandson!

Zheng Shi sat on the couch, silently gazing at the gold-embossed wedding invitation.

Lin Huabin realized he had said the wrong thing, so he went over and put his arm around her shoulder, saying, "Don't take it to heart. I have you and Jiao'er, that's enough."

He already had Concubine-born Sons Concubine-born Son Legitimate Son, so he would be happy if Zheng Shi gave birth to another one for him.

"Snort."

Zheng Shi's eyes were red, and she was still quite bothered by the topic of the child.

If she can't give birth to Legitimate Son, no matter how well she manages the family business in the future, it will still go to the Concubine's son!

But right now there's another thorn in my side.

"Sir, I've brought up Yun Wan's marriage with you many times. I think it's not long now, shouldn't we settle it soon?"

Judging from her husband's expression, her stepdaughter probably hasn't complained about her recently.

Zheng Shi even fooled herself, speaking as if it were the truth, "Recently, Yun Wan and Wenhai have gotten along better and better, and they even want to learn to write poetry together."

"I felt that as the girl grew up, she should be more discerning, so I didn't agree to them composing poems together."

"But I can't keep controlling Yun Wan forever. I think it's better to settle things as soon as possible, so that if something happens later... it won't look good for you, sir."

Lin Huabin frowned and said, "Yun Wan wouldn't."

He could see that she knew how to maintain appropriate boundaries.

Otherwise, he wouldn't dare bring a troublemaker into his household. With three households connected, he would not only have to worry about his daughter's reputation, but also his Nieces, Grandnieces, and Nephews' Wives.

Zheng Shi said angrily, "You keep making excuses whenever Yun Wan's marriage is mentioned!"

"I really don't know what you're thinking!"

"Then give me a definite answer, when exactly will the marriage between Yun Wan Wenhai be finalized?"

Lin Huabin's lips curled into a slight smile.

If he were in charge, he would have made the decision long ago.

Wasn't he also waiting for news from Zhao Jingyi? Marrying off a daughter is a major event, and even Zhao Jingyi knew about Wenhai, he would still have to find out the truth. How could things be so quick?

"Don't rush, wait a little longer."

Lin Huabin could only offer a perfunctory reply for now, and before leaving, he instructed her, " For your Elder Brother's wedding banquet, give a generous gift. This is your Elder Brother's only Legitimate Grandson; we can't underestimate him."

There was nothing to say about what Zheng Shi had done; she held back for a moment before calmly saying, "I understand."

Lin Huabin nodded and left.

Unable to contain herself, Zheng Shi immediately gritted her teeth and complained to Nanny Fan, "Why is Master so reluctant to let Yun Wan marry?"

Nanny Fan had been by Zheng Shi's side for many years and knew quite a bit about the matter.

She stepped forward and whispered, "Could it be for the Su Family's dowry?"

Zheng Shi shook her head. "The Su Family has long since disappeared; who would come to claim the dowry?"

"Unless that woman surnamed Su comes back to life, that would be truly a ghost story."

Nanny Fan waved her hands repeatedly, wishing she could cover Zheng Shi's mouth.

"Madam! You can't say that!"

"Heaven is watching from above!"

Zheng Shi didn't take it seriously. "If there was any retribution, it would have come long ago. Would I still be living such a smooth life now?"

Smooth sailing? Don't you even realize how difficult it was for you to give birth to a boy?

Nanny Fan moved her lips, but dared not say what was on her mind.

Zheng Shi picked up the Eldest Branch invitation sent by the eldest son's family, looked at the baby doll wearing a bib, and her eyes ached. She said resentfully, "I think the master doesn't trust me. He's afraid I'll mistreat his precious Di Daughter."

"I can't wait that long!"

Nanny Fan's eyelids kept twitching, and she was panicking. "Madam, what do you plan to do?"

"The deed is done, and the master can't back out now."

Zheng Shi was adamant. "Anyway, Yun Wan is going to marry Wenhai, there's no point in dragging it out any longer."

Nanny Fan wanted to persuade her, but she hesitated and said, "But..."

She gritted her teeth and said boldly, "People outside are already saying that you don't treat Eldest Miss very well. If Eldest Miss were to have something like this happen with your nephew... wouldn't that just cause even more misunderstandings?"

"Besides, if something bad happens to the Eldest Miss, what good can the Second Miss possibly do?"

"Don't hurt the enemy a thousand while losing eight hundred of your own!"

Zheng Shi glared at Nanny Fan and said irritably, "Are you stupid?! Who would poop and pee in front of their own house?"

She picked up the Eldest Branch and held it up in front of Nanny Fan.

"The Eldest Branch son's family is having a grandson's celebration, and with so many people, what if something unexpected happens on the day? If the Old Madam and my sister-in-law find Yun Wan Wenhai hugging and cuddling... wouldn't that seal the deal?"

"The matter originated from the eldest son's Eldest Branch, so it has nothing to do with me. It concerns the reputation of all the women in the Lin Residence, and the Old Madam handled it all herself without my intervention."

"Isn't she formidable? She almost scared me to death at Ci'en Temple. What's this little thing to her?"

"Anyway, it was all an accident, so it can't be blamed on me, the legal mother."

Zheng Shi smiled smugly; her plan was too perfect.

Feeling unreliable, Nanny Fan asked, "Cousin Young Master Wenhai, does he... do he listen to you?"

That's a complete coward.

She was worried. "I don't think the Cousin Young Master would dare to do such a thing."

Zheng Shi gave a cold laugh, "If he can't even do this simple thing right, he and his mother can get out of our household!"

"Damn it! I hope I didn't actually hire this piece of trash!"

Nanny Fan muttered to herself, "That's hard to say."

Zheng Shi was anxious. "Opportunity waits for no one. My Jiao'er growing up day by day..." The Prince even intends to marry her.

"Yun Wan's thoughts are becoming increasingly complicated. If we stay any longer, I'm afraid neither my husband nor I can control her."

"The sooner it's sent out, the better."

He urged Nanny Fan, "Go and invite the Concubine Madam over."

They called Wen Mu over to discuss the matter, first trying to bribe her.

Zheng Shi sipped her tea leisurely. "My Di Daughter, no matter how disobedient she is, I still love her dearly, and my husband loves her even more. She'll definitely receive a substantial dowry."

They then coerced Wen Mu.

Zheng Shi slammed her teacup on the table and coldly stared at Wen Mu: "If your son doesn't have this idea, he'd better explain it to me clearly now. Don't keep clinging to this place and ruining my daughter's reputation!"

Wen Mu was already extremely tempted; that was a lot of money!

Even if her son Passing the Provincial Examinations imperial examination next year, he still won't be able to earn back the money!

"Cousin, don't be angry. I've already talked to Wenhai. We talked about it last night, and he agreed that he'll be willing to take the initiative to get closer to Eldest Miss from now on."

Wen Mu stepped forward and tugged at Zheng Shi's sleeve, her face full of flattery.

Zheng Shi raised an eyebrow at her. "Really?"

Wen Mu sat down with a smile, "Really? Cousin, tell me quickly, what exactly do you want Wenhai to do? Our Wenhai is determined to marry Eldest Miss."

Zheng Shi nodded her chin at Nanny Fan, and Nanny Fan went out to guard the door.