A Proper Talk

"Sister..."

Lin Yunyi looked embarrassed.

Lin Yunwan said gently, "Let's talk while we're seated."

Lin Yunyi joked, "Sis, I don't dare sit like that."

Qi Lingheng laughed along, "Your sister asked you to sit, so just sit down."

Lin Yunyi then sat down.

Lin Yunwan carefully examined her younger brother. The last time they met was three years ago, and he had grown up a lot since then.

His facial features have become more defined, and he has lost his youthful appearance.

His Adam's apple also had a masculine sharpness.

"Yun Yi, Mother says your marriage prospects are always unsuccessful. Tell your sister, why can't you find a girl you like?"

Although Madam Lin was good at managing the household, she was not a woman with strong opinions.

Now, most of the decisions, big and small, are still made by Lin Yunyi.

Lin Yunwan knew perfectly well that her younger brother had repeatedly rejected the marriage proposals because he didn't approve of them.

But it's not right for my younger brother to remain unmarried.

Lin Yunyi paused for a moment, then said, "Elder Sister, it's not that I'm being picky."

He sighed and said, "The young ladies I was set up with a couple of years ago were only twelve or thirteen years old, innocent and carefree. Their parents doted on them. Such girls are good, but they are not capable of managing a household."

"Mother always says that a girl only needs to be gentle and dignified. Elder Sister, I don't think that's enough."

He had witnessed firsthand what his sister had gone through in the Wuding Marquis Residence, and now he was determined to marry a woman who was weak and timid.

Lin Yunyi's attitude was firm. "Sister, the matriarch of a family is just as important as the man of the house."

Lin Yunwan was very surprised.

She hadn't expected her brother to have considered things so deeply.

Have you discussed your thoughts with your mother?

Lin Yunyi said helplessly, "Why didn't you say that? My mother said she wanted to marry a wife who was sensible and understanding. Either she was an eldest daughter who had lost her mother and had taken care of her younger siblings, so she was very sensible. But they were older than me. Or she was a woman who had remarried, and she was much older than me."

"I'm not picky, but Mother..."

He tried to defend himself. "It's not entirely because I look down on others; there are also people who criticize and find fault with me!"

Lin Yunwan asked instinctively, "What do you mean by 'picking you'?"

She knew her younger brother was a very easygoing person, and if he really had any bad habits, he would naturally change them if others pointed them out.

Lin Yunyi pursed his lips, feigning nonchalance. "I still have an exam this year, let's postpone the wedding."

"Speaking of exams, Yun Yi, how come you didn't even pass the Tongsheng Examination three years ago? Did you not take it, or did you not even attempt it?"

Lin Yunwan had known all along that her younger brother hadn't failed, but rather hadn't taken the exam.

But if her younger brother doesn't tell her, she'll pretend she doesn't know.

Lin Yunyi picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said casually, "I had diarrhea for a few days and missed the exam."

Lin Yunwan felt extremely sorry.

"If you don't pass the Tongsheng Examination, you can't participate in the Provincial Examinations. Even if you didn't pass the Provincial Examinations last time, having the experience of taking the exam once will give you a better chance of passing this year."

The Provincial Examinations is held only once every three years; it's a real pity I missed the last one!

Lin Yunwan hesitated for a moment, then continued to ask, "Did you eat something bad yourself, or... is it related to the Lu family?"

She clenched her nails.

Qi Lingheng's men, who had returned to the capital, discovered that Qing — Lu Changzong —had just entered Mingshan Academy and had been beaten up! The Lu family went to the Academy to demand an explanation but received no response, and then Yun Yi got into trouble.

What a coincidence!

She wouldn't believe it if someone said the Lu family hadn't pinned the blame on Yun Yi.

Lin Yunyi said calmly, "Elder Sister, I shouldn't speak recklessly without evidence."

Thinking of Lu Changzong's appearance, he sneered, "Whether it was the Lu family who harmed me or not, Lu Changzong didn't come out on top in the end. If it really was him, he's only hoisted himself by his own petard."

He refused to say anything more.

His sister had finally escaped the Lu family, and he didn't want anything to happen to her because of him.

He wanted his Elder Sister to continue living the happy life she had now.

Before Lin Yunwan could ask any more questions...

Lin Yunyi quickly smiled and asked, "Sister, when will you bring my little nephew over so I can see him?"

I knew my brother didn't want to continue the conversation.

Lin Yunwan went along with him, saying, "He's very busy right now. I'll bring it to you when he gets back from the palace."

Lin Yunwan and Qi Lingheng dined with Madam Lin and Lin Yunyi, and stayed for a while before leaving.

Madam Lin wanted to escort Lin Yunwan alone, and whispered to her, "... Yun Yi is too proud; he won't tell you that the families we're considering all look down on us because we're a widow and her son, and our family isn't well-off."

Pure Stream Pure Stream yet overflowing with wealth, can it still be called Pure Stream?

When it comes to marriage, every parent's eyes are wide open.

In recent years, the Lin Family has been struggling to make ends meet and is even poorer than before.

Lin Yunyi would never ask his sister and brother-in-law for financial assistance.

Lin Yunwan felt a pang of sadness.

She reassured Madam Lin, "Mother, don't worry about the money."

She has made a lot of money in Jiangqian over the years.

Madam Lin quickly waved her hand. "No, please! Your brother is just as stubborn as your father! The family is doing alright, keep your own money for yourself."

She smiled and said, "Yun Yi's words make sense. If the woman he marries can't share his joys and sorrows, and he only marries her with money, won't she abandon him when disaster strikes?"

"Yun Wan, your brother has his own ideas about family matters. You don't need to worry about it."

Madam Lin's face lit up with joy. "Recently, someone has been trying to arrange a marriage between the Chang family's Di Daughter and Yun Yi. A date has been set, and they'll go to the temple to meet in five days."

"Mother, why didn't you mention it earlier?"

Lin Yunwan frowned.

Madam Lin glanced behind her and, seeing that her son hadn't followed, whispered, "Your brother told me not to mention it, saying he'd tell you after it's all done, so you'd be happy."

Lin Yunwan sighed inwardly, though she knew Yun Yi was afraid of causing her trouble.

But she felt bad that she couldn't help her family.

Lin Yunwan asked curiously, "Which Madam Chang?"

Having been away from the Capital for many years, she was no longer familiar with the interpersonal relationships the Capital.

Madam Lin said, "Prefect Chang's wife has only been in the Capital for two or three years. You don't recognize her."

"But I've heard that their eldest daughter is well-educated and married well. Their youngest daughter must be just as good."

Lin Yunwan took it to heart.

But she needs to have a serious talk with Yun Yi first.

The mother and daughter walked together to the Second Gate. When Lin Yunyi saw the appearance of her mother and sister, she knew that her sister must know something about the family.

He was unhappy that his mother always talked about these things with his sister.

Lin Yunwan blocked Lin Yunyi's path, saying impatiently, "Yun Yi..."

Lin Yunyi interrupted her, "Elder Sister."

He blinked and said pitifully, "Being the Prince Huan Consort isn't easy. If I keep making you worry about my affairs, wouldn't I seem incompetent?"

"Dear sister, please let me, as your younger brother, support you and the family."

"Yun Yi, when did you learn to pull this trick on me!"

Knowing she doesn't respond to force, I tried a softer approach.

Lin Yunwan really wanted to twist his ear.

He raised his hand and then lowered it again.

My younger brother is all grown up now.

Lin Yunyi smiled and leaned closer, "There's no such thing as a good or bad method, as long as it works."

Lin Yunwan raised her hand and patted his shoulder.

She said softly, "I don't care about anything else, but regarding your marriage, my mother and I are better equipped than you to associate with the women of the Inner Residence, and we know more about it. You should at least listen to our opinions."

Lin Yunyi nodded. "I'll listen to whatever you say, sister."

He then bowed and said, "Then I'm counting on you, sister, to find me a good wife."

Lin Yunwan smiled; this was more like her younger brother used to be.

Once outside, Lin Yunyi's expression changed; he adopted a respectful demeanor and saw the two off, saying, "Your Prince, Your Princess Consort."

Lin Yunwan and Qi Lingheng boarded the carriage together.

Qi Lingheng and Lin Yunyi said, "Let's go back."

A Fu instructed the coachman to drive back to the palace.

"Yun Wan, you've suffered so much."

Upon arriving at the mansion, Qi Lingheng suddenly uttered this remark.

For some reason, Lin Yunwan smiled and asked, "What troubles do I have?"

"The eldest daughter who lost her father, the Lin Family used to rely on you to manage things, right?"

Seeing how worried she was today, Qi Lingheng couldn't imagine how she had lived as a young girl in her prime.

Lin Yunwan changed her clothes, looked down at the account books, and said with a faint smile, "Your Prince, I don't feel bitter for the sake of my family."

She added, "It's not hard for you and Jun'er."

Qi Lingheng was slightly lost in thought, and then smiled faintly.