Returning to the Capital

"Yun Yi can't come?"

Qi Lingheng was a little surprised. Yun Yi had long said he wanted to see his nephew, and he wouldn't have missed it if he hadn't been really busy.

Lin Yunwan put down the letter and said, "He said in the letter that he plans to take the imperial Imperial Examination next year and wants to focus on his studies. He will come over after he passes the exam."

Qi Lingheng knew she was disappointed, so he comforted her, "It's a good thing that he has lofty ambitions."

Lin Yunwan smiled faintly, "That's true. The journey from the Capital is long, and we can't let him neglect his studies just to see me."

The younger brother is the only legitimate Legitimate Son in this branch of the Lin Family, and he bears heavy responsibilities for the family.

She was already exhausted from studying, and she couldn't add to her younger brother's burden.

Lin Yunwan then wrote a letter home to Lin Yunyi, without mentioning her longing for him, only telling him and his mother to take care of themselves.

I'll take it to A Fu.

Qi Lingheng offered to deliver the letter home for Lin Yunwan.

Lin Yunwan had no suspicions and gave the letter to Qi Lingheng.

Qi Lingheng met A Fu in the study and quietly instructed him, "Find out why Yun Yi suddenly stopped coming."

He felt something was amiss, but he didn't want Lin Yunwan to worry, so he didn't mention it to her.

Two weeks later.

Lin Yunwan sang a few songs for Qi Zaijun, and he couldn't sit still any longer.

"Mother Consort, I want to play ball."

The child has just learned to speak a few words, uttering them one by one.

Seeing that it was time, Lin Yunwan told the wet nurse to take the child out to play.

She heard that Qi Lingheng had returned and was in the study.

Has the Prince returned with his men?

She was worried that Qi Lingheng was seeing guests, and it wouldn't be appropriate for her to barge in.

Cuiqin said, "No, only A Fu is with the Prince."

Since A Fu was one of her own, Lin Yunwan didn't hold back.

She brought a bowl of warm soup, while Cuiqin brought an umbrella. It started snowing as soon as they arrived at Qi Lingheng's study, so they didn't need the umbrella.

Lin Yunwan stopped at the door before she even knocked, upon hearing voices inside.

"Is Yun Yi going to get married?"

Qi Lingheng was still a little surprised, but thinking of his brother-in-law's age, he smiled again, "It's about time to arrange a marriage."

"Young Master Yi said that the marriage is still uncertain, so he doesn't want to tell you and the Princess Consort in advance."

A Fu smiled and said, "As the year draws to a close, Young Master Yi has already set his sights on two young ladies."

Qi Lingheng then asked, "Didn't you manage to find a match with any of them?"

A Fu replied, "Forming an alliance between two families isn't like picking cabbages; you can't just decide after one look."

"Too."

Qi Lingheng thought this made sense. He said, "Yun Yi is busy with his studies and engagement, he must be overwhelmed. We'll bring him to Jiangqian when he has good news."

In short, it's best that nothing bad happened to the Lin Family.

Qi Lingheng said calmly, "Don't tell the Princess Consort yet."

"Yes."

Lin Yunwan quietly left Qi Lingheng's study.

She waited with great joy until August, the day of the Provincial Examinations, and went to Ci'en Temple to pray for blessings.

For the people of Jiangqian, and also for his own brother.

When the results of the Provincial Examinations were announced in September, A Fu even went to the Capital in person.

Lin Yunwan eagerly awaited the news.

Qi Lingheng patted her shoulder and laughed, "Even if A Fu travels day and night, he won't arrive until sunset."

Lin Yunwan said, "It's been far too long since I've seen Yun Yi and my mother."

Qi Lingheng hugged her tightly.

Qi Zaijun, who was almost two years old, ran in and squeezed between the two women, hugging Lin Yunwan's leg and saying, "Mother Consort, hug me."

Qi Lingheng picked up her son and said, "Mother is waiting for news from your maternal uncle. Don't bother your mother."

"Maternal uncle?"

Qi Zaijun asked curiously, "What is maternal uncle?"

Qi Lingheng then said that Zhao Jingyi was his maternal uncle. Qi Zaijun liked Zhao Jingyi very much and said to Lin Yunwan with a grin, "Maternal uncle, I want my maternal uncle." Knowing that his maternal uncle was from his mother's side, he went to his mother to ask for his maternal uncle.

The couple laughed for a while, then took turns holding and playing with Qi Zaijun.

As expected, A Fu arrived at the Prince's mansion at sunset, but he brought bad news.

"Yun Yi didn't pass the Provincial Examinations?"

Lin Yunwan knew the outcome just by looking at A Fu's expression.

A Fu nodded and said, "Not passed."

Qi Lingheng comforted Lin Yunwan, "Yun Yi still so young, it's only natural that he hasn't had sex yet."

Lin Yunwan and said, "I understand."

She didn't want her younger brother to rise to prominence too quickly; too smooth a path to officialdom wasn't a good thing either.

Did you pass the Academy Examinations?

Lin Yunwan continued to ask.

A Fu's expression was a little strange, but he still calmly said, "No."

"But Young Master Yi passed the Prefectural Examinations!"

A Fu quickly tried to fix it.

Lin Yunwan frowned slightly.

Given her brother's academic abilities, it's normal that he didn't Passing the Provincial Examinations, but failing the Academy Examinations... is a bit hard to believe.

I wonder if her situation affected my younger brother.

Qi Lingheng was quiet for a while, then heard Lin Yunwan ask A Fu, "How is Yun Yi's marriage going?"

A Fu was stunned for a moment.

Qi Lingheng also looked at Lin Yunwan.

He didn't expect her to know about this.

Lin Yunwan said calmly, "A Fu, just say what you have to say."

A Fu lowered his head and said, "There's been no news about Yun Young Master Yi's marriage."

Lin Yunwan didn't say anything.

Qi Lingheng instructed A Fu, "Go down."

"Yes."

Qi Zaijun sat on the couch trying to solve Five Interlocking Rings. He was very clever and tried several times with great concentration, and he solved one of the Five Interlocking Rings.

He clapped his hands happily and held up the Five Interlocking Rings to show Lin Yunwan.

Lin Yunwan smiled, patted Qi Zaijun's head, and when her son was sleepy at night, she gave him to the wet nurse to sleep with.

She sat on the couch, lost in thought.

Yun Wan.

Qi Lingheng walked to her side.

Lin Yunwan leaned against him, closed her eyes, and said, "Your Prince, Yun Yi is the type to only report good news and never bad. I can no longer believe a word he says."

"You want to go back to Beijing?"

Qi Lingheng gently stroked her cheek.

Lin Yunwan shook her head rationally. "No rush. I haven't found the person I'm looking for yet. You should also help me find out why Yun Yi didn't pass the Prefectural Examinations."

"We need to be fully prepared before going back."

Qi Lingheng: "Okay."

Two weeks later, Lin Yunwan received a letter from Lin Yunyi.

At the same time, the people Qi Lingheng sent out also returned.

After reading the letter, Lin Yunwan smiled faintly, "Look, Yun Yi says everything is fine, he keeps saying there's nothing wrong at home, but what did the people you sent say?"

Her smile faded, but her anger grew stronger; her hands even trembled slightly.

She thought she was "dead," and that her debt to the Wuding Marquis Residence's family was over. She was even willing to let them go, but the Lu family was still pestering her!

Qi Lingheng squeezed Lin Yunwan's cold hand and said, "Yun Wan, don't be afraid..."

"Afraid?"

Lin Yunwan smiled slightly, "With the Prince here, the ones who should be afraid are them."

How could she possibly be afraid of them!

Qi Lingheng gripped her hand tightly.

Lin Yunwan sighed and said, "Let Yun Yi focus on his studies first."

Her departure will distract her brother again.

Returning to the capital wasn't something that could be done on a whim; the emperor had to issue an imperial decree before the Feudal Prince and his family could leave their fiefdom.

When Qi Zaijun was almost five years old, it was also the year of the Imperial Examination.

An imperial edict arrived in the Capital, summoning Prince Huan and his Prince Huan Consort back to the capital.

"The Prince and Princess Consort are gone for who knows when they will return..."

During these years under Prince Huan's rule, the government was efficient and the people were harmonious.

Prince Huan Consort was also known for her virtue and benevolence. Although she participated in politics, she did not interfere in politics or covet power. In the hearts of the people of Jiangqian, she held a very high position.

The people of Jiangqian were very reluctant to part with it.

Lin Yunwan was having a headache over the etiquette for Qi Zaijun's entry into the palace.

"Mother Consort, can't I really hold my Imperial Grandfather and Imperial Grandmother close to me?"

He grew up far away in Jiangqian and was unaware of the strict palace rules; he was also overly lively.

Based on Lin Yunwan's understanding of her son, his talk of embracing and being close to him is probably not the kind of closeness that most people understand.

Lin Yunwan said seriously, "No."

Qi Zaijun blinked, looking very regretful.

"And what about your maternal uncle?"

Qi Zaijun was very excited.

Lin Yunwan sighed, "You'd better figure it out yourself! If your maternal uncle beats you up, I won't be responsible."

This child is so lively, I don't know why. I've hit him, scolded him, and taught him the rules a hundred times, but he won't listen to anything he doesn't want to hear, no matter how I teach him.

Qi Lingheng overheard their conversation and said, "Your Imperial Grandfather and Imperial Grandmother wouldn't bear to beat you."

Lin Yunwan glanced at him. "Your Prince, you're still stirring things up here."

"I was telling my son the truth."

Qi Lingheng picked up Qi Zaijun and whispered in his ear.

Qi Zaijun listened with a smile.

Lin Yunwan had no idea what the father and son were talking about; there were still many things waiting for her to deal with.

And she's about to see her younger brother and mother; she won't let her brother repeat the same mistakes!