Asking the Bride's Name

"I think you're crazy!"

Lin Huabin pushed Zheng Shi away. She hadn't expected her wife to come up with such an absurd idea.

He roared, "You dare to say something like that, changing Yun Wan's birth date and time to Yun Jiao's!"

"If the Old Madam finds out, she'll skin you alive!"

Zheng Shi was also afraid.

But no matter how afraid I am, it's something I have to do.

It's better than watching your stepdaughter marry into a wealthy family and living in fear for the rest of your life.

She gave up on pleading and coldly snorted, "Master, don't you think about what we'll do if Eldest Miss becomes the Prince Huan Consort and finds out about the Su Family?"

"That much silver... the household can't afford it."

"I'm not just doing this for myself, but also for you!"

Over the years, it wasn't just her love for clothes and jewelry; Lin Huabin's collection of Antiques and Calligraphy in his Secret Chamber consisted of priceless items.

Lin Huabin was taken aback.

His anger subsided somewhat, and after sitting down to rest for a while, he said, "Don't worry about this, it's alright. Yun Wan is still my daughter, and you are her legal mother. She wouldn't dare to do anything to you or me."

"Not to mention Princess Consort, even the emperor Empress must abide by filial piety."

"There's no reason for her to target her biological father and stepmother as soon as she marries into the royal family."

He dared not tell Zheng Shi that the Su Family's money had absolutely nothing to do with his current daughter.

Yun Wan had no way of touching the Su Family's money.

"But sir..."

"Okay, that's enough."

Zheng Shi had no way to explain himself, so of course he wasn't worried about himself!

Lin Huabin said gently, "After Wenming, we need to set a date. Once the date is set, the wedding will be soon. You are the legal mother, so act like one and stop picking on Yun Wan all the time."

"She married well, so you're proud of yourself, aren't you?"

Zheng Shi was wringing her handkerchief, her eyes red.

She burst into tears as soon as she opened her mouth. "She married well, but my Jiao'er..."

Mentioning this makes Lin Huabin feel very sad.

He held Zheng Shi and comforted her, "Things have come to this, so don't think about them anymore. Yun Wan's marriage has already reached this point, so let's hurry up and marry her off well, and then we can properly arrange Jiao'er's marriage."

"Handle it? With whom?"

Zheng Shi was extremely unwilling. "Have you already made up your mind?"

Lin Huabin paused for a moment, then said, "Let Yun Jiao get married too. At worst... I'll mentor Wenhai in the future. I think he's an ambitious young man; he might even pass the Provincial Graduate Presented Scholar and have a bright future."

It's better than cutting your hair and becoming a nun.

"Master!"

Zheng Shi gritted her teeth, thinking, "Wenhai is Yun Jiao!"

"Stop crying, you've had so many guests these past few days. You'll make a fool of yourself if people see you like this."

"My Elder Brother still has guests, I'll go keep Elder Brother first."

Lin Huabin wiped away Zheng Shi's tears before leaving.

He really didn't want to get entangled with Zheng Shi anymore. The Old Madam was right; he might as well go all the way and get Yun Wan's marriage settled as soon as possible.

Zheng Shi was still unwilling to accept it.

She watched her husband's retreating figure and sneered, "In the end, he still doesn't love our Jiao'er."

However, she knew her husband's personality best.

"I have to push you..."

"I just want to see what you'll say after the deed is done!"

Zheng Shi went to see Lin Yunjiao.

Nanny Zhao was waiting outside. She went over and asked, "How has the Second Miss been lately?"

Nanny Zhao said, "She's doing very well. She just doesn't eat much."

But it was different from her usual boisterous self.

Zheng Shi was filled with mixed feelings. She sent the maids away and went inside to see Lin Yunjiao.

Lin Yunjiao was picking flower petals in the house, plucking off the newly grown Chrysanthemums petals one by one.

Hearing the sound, she looked up, intending to shout, but then angrily lowered her head, threw down the Chrysanthemums in her hand, and stomped on it.

What are you doing here?

She had her back to Zheng Shi.

Last time, she only said she could marry her Cousin Wenhai, and her mother slapped her.

From childhood to adulthood, when has her mother ever hit her?

Besides, Cousin Wenhai... isn't that bad, is he?

"Sit down."

Zheng Shi was very serious; she rarely acted like this.

Lin Yunjiao glanced back at her mother and reluctantly sat down.

"There's no time left, my Jiao'er. There's nothing more I can do about your marriage."

Zheng Shi closed her eyes briefly, gritted her teeth, and asked, "Jiao'er, I'm asking you, do you really want to marry Wenhai, or are you willing to...?"

Whom to marry?

Lin Yunjiao looked bewildered, then a little angry. "At this point, what's the use of whether I'm willing or not!"

"Would you be willing to marry the Prince?"

Zheng Shi said.

Lin Yunjiao was stunned. "Mother, what are you saying? The Prince didn't save me, how could I possibly marry the Prince?"

Zheng Shi said, "Just leave it at that, tell me if you want to get married or not?"

"Think about it..."

Lin Yunjiao felt very awkward.

There was nothing wrong with her marrying her Cousin Wenhai, but she was resentful that her elder sister married Prince Huan.

Having grown up surrounded by luxury, how could she not know which was better, being Princess Consort or a scholar's wife?

"Just think about it."

Zheng Shi stood up and said, "You stay in the Courtyard. Embroider when you should embroider, and study when you should study. You are not allowed to see Wenhai and his mother again!"

I'll kick them out tomorrow.

"Mother!"

Lin Yunjiao a little anxious.

She had been inquiring about what was happening in the manor these past few days, but Nanny Zhao was keeping a close watch, so she couldn't find out anything.

But she still knew that her Cousin Wenhai had always lived in the Lin Residence.

What is her mother trying to do by driving away her Cousin Wenhai?

Zheng Shi pressed her down to sit.

"You better remember this: if you don't want to always be overshadowed by Yun Wan, you'd better behave yourself."

Before leaving, she touched her daughter's cheek and whispered, "Eat your food properly. You're so thin, you won't look good when you get married."

"Mother..."

Lin Yunjiao wanted to chase after her, but as soon as Zheng Shi left, she had the door closed.

She felt very uneasy.

What does Mother want to do?

She used to be fearless, but now she feels lost about the future.

"Cousin Wenhai, it's all your fault!"

Lin Yunjiao wanted to make a scene, but she hesitated.

She herself didn't know what kind of result she wanted to achieve.

"To become the Prince Huan Consort, or... marry my Cousin Wenhai?"

She didn't know.

On the fifteenth of August, the members of the Third Branches of the Lin Residence celebrated the Mid-Autumn Festival together and admired the moon.

This time, people from West Lin Residence were also invited, making it a very lively occasion.

Lin Yunwan and composed poems with her sisters and sisters-in-law, making quite a splash. This was also the wish of the Old Madam Nanny Fan.

Her current reputation is too mediocre. Before she gets married, she needs to stand out a bit more to be worthy of the title of Prince Huan Consort.

Fortunately, none of them were difficult.

The Mid-Autumn Festival banquet ended on a very pleasant note.

The next day, officials from the Ministry of Rites came from the Jiangqian Post Station to Wenming, and the process went smoothly.

That evening, Old Madam Lin invited Lin Yunwan over for dinner. When she changed her clothes and went over, she heard Lin Huabin inside saying to the Old Madam, "Mother, Yun Jiao's marriage can't be delayed any longer. I'm thinking... I'm thinking of arranging her marriage and Yun Wan's marriage together."

Old Madam Lin sneered, "Was it your idea, or Zheng Shi's?"

Lin Huabin lowered his head and said, "It was a decision my son and she made together. I can't take good care of someone else's daughter while neglecting my own."

Old Madam Lin didn't give him any face. "Have you treated me too poorly already?"

They've all become wandering ghosts!

Lin Huabin looked ashamed.

The mother and son were locked in a verbal battle.

Lin Yunwan waited outside for a while.

I wonder what Zheng Shi and Lin Huabin are planning this time, and whether the Old Madam will agree.