The Meeting

"Eldest Miss, Nanny Wang is coming tomorrow, so please dress up nicely to greet her."

Nanny Zhao brought over several sets of clothes with a smile, as well as brand-new jewelry, all of which were the most fashionable styles in Jiangqian at the moment.

She patiently explained, "Eldest Miss, this Dian Cui hairpin is the most exquisite. It was sent over at the master's behest."

Xiruo stepped forward and teased Nanny Zhao, "You never used to be so detailed."

Nanny Zhao gave an embarrassed smile.

Everyone treats others differently based on their status!

However, she didn't Xiruo's teasing. In just two days, the whole of Jiangqian had spread the word that the Second Branch's Eldest Miss of the Lin Residence was going to become the Prince Huan Consort!

Even she benefited from it.

What's the big deal about this little joke?

"You may leave."

Lin Yunwan's voice was calm. Too many people had come these past few days. The sisters and sisters-in-law from the first Third Branches of the Eldest Branch came with their children, and even the Madam and Young Madam from the West Lin Residence said they wanted to come and see her.

She was already feeling tired.

Nanny Zhao said respectfully, "This old servant will take her leave now. Eldest Miss has any instructions, please let this old servant know."

Xiruo smiled.

Cuiqin pursed her lips, and only after everyone had left did she whisper, "I've never seen Nanny Zhao like this before..."

"Such a sycophant."

Xiruo.

The two maids laughed, Lin Yunwan smiled faintly as well. She had seen enough people like this long ago.

"Try on my clothes and makeup."

Lin Yunwan got up and sat in front of the bronze mirror.

"Nanny Wang is coming tomorrow, so we can't afford any mistakes."

Those were the emperor and empress's confidants.

Although Qi Lingheng told her to just treat it as if she were a girl about to get married for the first time and not to worry too much, she still wanted to do better.

She didn't want him to always be the only one worrying about these things.

The next day.

Lin Yunwan went to pay her respects to Old Madam Lin early in the morning. Apart from the Eldest Madam and the Third Madam, there was no one else there.

"Old Madam."

Lin Yunwan and Zheng Shi went over to pay their respects together. Zheng Shi looked listless and aged five years in an instant.

Old Madam Lin, impatient with Zheng Shi's behavior, said coldly, "Go sit in the back."

She turned to Lin Yunwan a smile and said, "Come, sit down next to your grandmother."

Lin Yunwan nodded and sat down.

Nanny Wang arrived very early; they had barely settled down when Nanny Wang came in.

Nanny Fan personally went to fetch Nanny Wang.

Both of them had served the royal family and had a lot to talk about, chatting and laughing along the way.

Upon entering the hall, even Old Madam Lin rose to greet Nanny Wang.

"Please don't be so polite, Old Madam. You're getting on in years, please have a seat!"

After exchanging pleasantries, Nanny Wang sat down with Old Madam Lin.

Lin Yunwan retreated to the side of the Eldest Madam.

Nanny Wang observed her discreetly. There was only one young girl in the entire hall, and it was obvious that she was Lin Yun Wan, the eldest daughter of the Second Branch.

After talking for a while, seeing that Lin Yunwan was quite dignified, Nanny Wang took the initiative to ask, "How old are you, young lady?"

Old Madam Lin spoke her mind.

"Her birth mother died early and was in poor health. People said that raising her in the countryside would make her health stronger, so they raised her there."

"I delayed my marriage because of my health; I'm eighteen this year."

Nanny Wang smiled faintly, "That's not young at all."

Old Madam Lin smiled but remained silent.

These things have already spread, how could Nanny Wang not know? She just wanted to see the Lin Residence's attitude for herself.

Nanny Fan chimed in, "The Eldest Miss is quite clever. I was just killing time anyway, so I taught her to read, write, do needlework, and play music for a few days."

Nanny Wang smiled and said, "I remember that Princess Consort loved listening to the zither. With your tutelage, her zither skills are bound to be excellent."

Old Madam Lin said, "If you don't mind, Granny, let Yun Wan play a tune. The zither is ready."

Nanny Wang, who was eager to hear this, smiled and said, "Then let's tire out the young lady!"

Nanny Fan led Lin Yunwan to the next room.

She patted Lin Yunwan on the shoulder and whispered, "Don't hold back, young lady. Play as well as you can."

Lin Yunwan glanced at Nanny Fan.

Before anything could be discerned, Nanny Fan, to avoid suspicion, had already left.

She sat down at the piano and played a famous piece.

Her piano skills weren't particularly outstanding, but they were still pleasant to listen to.

"Old Madam, Granny."

After Lin Yunwan left, she sat down next to the Eldest Madam.

Nanny Wang seemed quite satisfied, and said with a smile, "I can discern the refined meaning in your music; I have indeed heard the refined meaning in your playing, young lady."

Old Madam Lin smiled.

That's already a pretty good review.

While chatting with Old Madam Lin and the Eldest Madam, Nanny Wang would also exchange a few words with Lin Yunwan.

After half a day, both sides had a very pleasant conversation.

Only Zheng Shi felt extremely uncomfortable, as if her whole body was covered in lice.

Despite being the legal mother, she was the most insignificant person in this matchmaking process! It was as if Nanny Wang couldn't even see her!

"I've disturbed you long, Old Madam, I must take my leave now."

Nanny Wang got up, intending to leave.

Old Madam Lin politely tried to persuade her to stay, but Nanny Wang declined again. So the Old Madam had no choice but to go with Nanny Fan and her three daughters-in-law to see Nanny Wang off.

After Nanny Wang left, the smiles on everyone's faces vanished.

It's not that I'm in a bad mood, it's just that I'm too preoccupied with something, and I really can't smile.

Old Madam Lin daughters-in-law, "You should all go back and rest!"

She went back with Nanny Fan, and on the way they started discussing. "What do you think of Nanny Wang's attitude?"

Nanny Fan said, "Nanny Wang seems quite satisfied with our young lady."

"The young lady's musical skills are not particularly refined, but considering her background... it's already quite remarkable that she can play like this. I think Nanny Wang also seems to like the young lady's demeanor, otherwise she wouldn't be sitting here until now."

Old Madam Lin nodded. "I think the same way as you."

She sighed, "Let's go back and see if Yun Wan —has the second son returned yet?"

She wanted to see her second son last night, but Lin Huabin was nowhere to be found, so she postponed seeing him until after Nanny Wang.

"The maid said the Second Master has already returned, Nanny Wang has left. The Second Master should be arriving soon."

As the two were talking, they bumped into Lin Huabin at the gate of the courtyard.

"Mother."

Lin Huabin bowed and went to help the Old Madam Lin.

Old Madam Lin pushed him away and asked coldly, "Where did you go last night?"

"Well..."

Of course I went to see Zhao Jingyi!

However, Lin Huabin didn't want to bring this up, so he said, "Let's go inside and talk about it."

Zhao Jingyi was even more confused than him; I really don't know how he could be a father!

The Old Madam couldn't explain the situation clearly.

Old Madam Lin gave him a cold look. "Perfect, I have something to tell you."

He had the maid close the courtyard gate and then spoke to Lin Huabin behind closed doors.

Lin Yunwan was in the next room, the two rooms separated only by a curtain. Lin Yunwan knew that the Old Madam was intentionally letting her hear.

But the fact that they won't let her go out means they definitely don't want to confront her directly.

She lifted the curtain and saw Lin Huabin. Let's see what they have to say first.

Old Madam Lin took out a small piece of paper, and Lin Huabin frowned as he read it.

Lin Yunwan had a bad feeling.