The Return Visit

"Old Madam?"

Lin Yunwan and Qi Lingheng returned to the Second Branch the Lin Residence together, only to find that Old Madam Lin was waiting for them there.

She curtsied in greeting.

"You are already Princess Consort."

Old Madam Lin stood up and helped Lin Yunwan to her feet. By all accounts, she should not accept the Princess Consort's courtesy.

Qi Lingheng simply nodded politely in response.

Lin Huabin, standing beside him, though the father, seemed like an insignificant person.

He felt quite uncomfortable.

He was, after all, the Prince's nominal father-in-law!

"Please sit down."

Old Madam Lin said to Lin Yunwan, "Your... second sister will be arriving soon."

After sitting down, Lin Yunwan felt very lonely and asked, "Where is Madam?"

With Lin Yunjiao gone, the Second Branch the Lin Residence only has two illegitimate Concubine-born Sons, and the Concubine rarely shows her face, making things much quieter.

Lin Huabin remained silent, but Old Madam Lin said calmly, "Madam is ill."

Lin Yunwan should ask about Madam's condition, Old Madam Lin said, "It's not a serious illness, you don't need to worry about it, and you don't need to go to take care of her."

This completely eliminated any possibility for Lin Yunwan.

But she knew in her heart, how could Zheng Shi have suddenly fallen ill? The Old Madam had come especially for this reason, probably because Zheng Shi had already been punished!

"Father, Mother!"

Lin Yunjiao rushed in, followed by Wenhai, who was muttering to himself with his head down.

She was startled when she saw a strange man in her house.

Lin Huabin scolded her, "Why are you still so reckless after getting married?"

Lin Yunjiao paused for a moment, then composed herself. Upon seeing Old Madam Lin, she went over to greet her first, "Old Madam."

Old Madam Lin, "Why haven't you greeted the Prince and Princess Consort yet?"

She didn't say it was her sister or brother-in-law.

Lin Yunjiao knew very well that she and Lin Yunwan were not biological sisters; they were more like enemies!

She gritted her teeth, walked over, and said, "Your Prince, Your Princess Consort."

Qi Lingheng didn't react.

He doesn't speak to the women.

Under Lin Huabin's urging gaze, Wenhai also went over to pay his respects. "Your Prince, Your Princess Consort."

Lin Yunwan said calmly, "Sister, brother-in-law."

Both young couples sat down. Lin Yunwan sat next to Old Madam Lin, Lin Yunjiao, restless, asked Lin Huabin with a puzzled look, "Father, where's my mother?"

Lin Huabin gave her a few perfunctory words, telling her not to ask anymore, and then rushed off to talk to Qi Lingheng.

He wanted to discuss some official business.

Since Passing the Provincial Examinations the imperial examination and entering officialdom, he had been working in the Jiangqian government office for many years. His fake daughter's marriage had taken away so much of his wealth, causing him to owe his Elder Brother Third Younger Brother a lot of money.

They've all written IOUs in black and white. If he doesn't find a way to pay them back, he can forget about ever having a good life again!

"Your Prince, I have an advisor who happens to be from Yulin County."

"Yulin County is known for more than just elm seed paste and elm seed biscuits; the river embankments in Yulin County are under repair every year, and I heard they're going to start repairing them again this year..."

When talking about Jiangqian cuisine, Lin Huabin originally mentioned the river embankment.

Old Madam Lin knew her son's character best. He generally wouldn't offend anyone, but he would always try to make a quick buck if there was any profit to be made.

I heard he sold off many of his beloved calligraphy, paintings, and antiques; he must have been driven to desperation!

However, she wouldn't use favors on something like this.

Old Madam Lin smiled and advised Lin Huabin, "You don't care about the river embankment, why bring that up? We're just women, we don't understand the affairs of your officialdom, why don't you chat with this Matron about everyday matters!"

Lin Huabin said awkwardly, "... Yes."

He was a little unhappy; why was his mother undermining him?

Lin Yunwan continued talking to Old Madam Lin about Jiangqian's delicacies, Qi Lingheng listened patiently, occasionally asking a question.

Wenhai dared not speak.

Lin Yunjiao felt that this no longer felt like her home, and she wasn't in the mood to talk.

She was eager to finish speaking so she could go see Zheng Shi.

Old Madam Lin had no intention of inviting Lin Yunwan and Qi Lingheng to stay for dinner. She first said she was tired and sighed, "My health isn't as good as it used to be."

Her maid came over and said, "Old Madam, it's time for you to go back and take your medicine."

Old Madam Lin said she had to leave.

Lin Yunwan said, "I'll see you off."

She's leaving, so why is Qi Lingheng still sitting here?

He stood up and said gently, "I'll see you off too."

"Your Prince..."

Lin Huabin was a little anxious. He hadn't even exchanged a few words with his son-in-law yet, and he was already in such a hurry to leave.

He's the Prince's father-in-law now, what's he in such a hurry for!

He wants to act like a father-in-law; surely the Prince should give in!

"Your Prince."

Lin Huabin looked serious.

Old Madam Lin glanced at him and said, "You should take me home too! Second son, hasn't it been many years since you last helped me take my medicine?"

"... yes."

Lin Huabin felt a little guilty. He was so old; shouldn't servants handle these kinds of small tasks?

Lin Yunjiao stood up and said, "Old Madam, my mother is ill. My husband and I... we'll go see her first."

"Um."

Old Madam Lin nodded and did not keep the two of them.

Lin Yunwan and Qi Lingheng Old Madam out together. The two of them were very attentive, one on the left and the other on the right, helping the Old Madam out.

Lin Huabin followed.

Lin Yunjiao vaguely heard Qi Lingheng say, "Listen to the Princess Consort... see what the Princess Consort means..."

The Old Madam chuckled and joked, "The Prince really spoils the Princess Consort."

Qi Lingheng felt it was only natural. "Now that we're husband and wife, the Princess Consort should come first in everything."

As the sound faded into the distance, Lin Yunjiao glanced at the stoic Wenhai and snorted.

Wenhai was completely baffled.

Why are you angry again!

"Why..."

Thinking back to their wedding night, the bloody scratches on his body...

Forget it, a good man doesn't argue with a woman.

What are you standing there for!

Lin Yunjiao turned around and glared at Wenhai.

Wenhai, who had been deep in thought, was so frightened that he jumped out of his skin and hurriedly followed.

He asked softly, "Mother, wife, where are we going?"

"You idiot, didn't you hear my mother is sick? Of course you should go see her!"

"Oh oh!"

Wenhai thought of his mother-in-law and scratched his head in frustration.

"How could my maternal aunt bear to marry my Yun Jiao to me...?"

Having lived in the Lin Residence for so long, he knew that his maternal aunt had always looked down on him.

Although he saved Yun Jiao, given the Lin Residence's background...

His maternal aunt probably agreed to the marriage reluctantly, and now he doesn't know how to face his mother-in-law.

"Confined? Who dares to confine my mother?!"

As soon as Lin Yunjiao arrived, she saw Matron guarding Zheng Shi's Courtyard.

She frowned and said, "Where is Nanny Fan? I want to see Nanny Fan!"

Is it alright if she sees the servants?

The Matron who did the hard labor spoke rather bluntly, "Nanny Fan? Haha, Second Great-Aunt, go find her in Java!"

Lin Yunjiao found it unbelievable; how could her home have become like this after only two days away?