Rebuked

"Please sit here!"

Lin Yunwan climbed up to the mountainside of Red Elephant Temple, stood in the pavilion for a while, and then didn't want to go any further.

Cuiqin and Nanny Lü then instructed the maid, "Put a cushion on for Madam."

In public, she is never addressed as "Princess Consort" to avoid attracting attention.

The maids laid out soft cushions in the pavilion, set up a tea stove, and brewed a pot of tea.

Lin Yunwan sat on the pavilion to rest.

Down the mountain, a couple of women were also coming up.

Madam Chen the Duke Xingguo's Residence was arm in arm with Madam Chang of the Prefect of Shuntian, and the two were chatting and laughing.

Madam Chang was actually flattered.

She had only heard of families like the Duke Xingguo's Residence from her relatives and friends, and never imagined that she could actually get close to the Chen family.

Who would have thought that Madam Chen would be so easy to talk to? They had only just met, and she was already so amiable.

"Madam Chen, please go first."

Madam Chen smiled and said, "Don't be so polite, let's go up together."

Madam Chang nodded.

The two women didn't go out often and weren't as physically fit as the servants. They walked and stopped frequently, chatting idly along the way.

When Madam Chen spoke of her Niece's marriage, she said, "Eldest Aunt, I have to help with the arrangements. You don't know, a young lady's marriage is not as easy to arrange as a young master's."

Madam Chang immediately thought of her daughter.

She sighed, "Isn't that right?"

Following up on this, Madam Chen said, "Why are you troubled by this too? I heard your eldest daughter married very well; her in-laws are a very understanding family."

Madam Chang said helplessly, "I have two daughters, and I have a younger daughter who just turned 18 this year. She's a little spoiled..."

She couldn't bear to speak ill of her daughter, so she continued to try and smooth things over, "A young woman has all sorts of flaws before she's married. They'll naturally improve once she goes to her husband's family. But it's hard to find a reasonable and understanding husband's family."

Madam Chen smiled but remained silent.

A mother behind her stepped forward and muttered, "I heard the Chang family is currently looking at potential partners for the young master of the Lin Family..."

This startled Madam Chang.

She glanced at the mother, her expression cautious. "Madam, where did you hear that? It concerns a girl's reputation; this isn't just idle talk!"

This kind of news must not be spread before the marriage is finalized!

Madam Chen pulled Madam Chang along as they continued climbing. She patted Madam Chang's hand and whispered, "Don't be nervous. Actually, someone asked my mother to put in a good word for the Lin Family's child with you."

Madam Chang suddenly realized.

She thought it was a chance encounter! Turns out it wasn't at all!

"Madam Chen, why didn't you say so earlier!"

Madam Chang clutched her chest and complained, "You startled me. I thought the Lin Family hadn't kept their mouth shut and were spreading the news everywhere. Then our Chang family... we absolutely cannot become in-laws with such a family."

No, no.

Madam Chen quickly replied.

Madam Chang, also intrigued, said, "I've heard that the Lin Family's child is quite remarkable. Although he comes from a widowed family, he's been studying at the Mingshan Academy since he was young and has a very good reputation among his classmates. I've also heard he's a Filial Piety and responsible child."

"Madam Chen, since the Lin Family has sent someone to bring this to you, have you seen the child? Is the child really as good as others say?"

Madam Chen hesitated, as if she wanted to say something but then stopped herself.

Madam Chang had a bad feeling. She asked nervously, "Madam Chen, this concerns my daughter's marriage. You must tell me everything!"

It's better to miss out on a good one than to encounter a bad one.

Madam Chen said helplessly, "Since I've been entrusted with this task, there are some things I can't say."

"Madam Chang, you've probably heard about some things. You should think about them carefully yourself."

Upon hearing this, Madam Chang's mind went completely blank.

This is truly an extraordinary matter!

She calmed down for a moment and thought about what might have happened to the Lin Family.

"Young Master Lin's poor sister has been dead for many years, hasn't she?"

Madam Chang thought of the Di Daughter of the Lin Family, a woman whose story was truly heartbreaking.

Madam Chen said, "That's his sister's business. The Chang family is marrying off a daughter to a man from the Lin Family. What does it have to do with a woman from the Lin Family who died? Think about it again."

Then we have to think about Lin Yunyi himself.

Madam Chang pondered for a moment, then frowned and said, "I've heard he's exceptionally talented, but three years ago, he not only failed the Provincial Examinations Imperial Examination, he didn't even pass the Tongsheng Examination..."

The more I thought about it, the more something seemed off.

She glanced at Madam Chen, hoping to uncover the truth.

Madam Chen sighed and said, "... There are some things I can't say."

Madam Chang grew anxious. "Please tell me!"

Madam Chen shook her head, still refusing.

She kept her mouth shut, sticking to one sentence. "After all, I was asked to do something, and if I couldn't get it done, that's fine, but how can I talk about other people's shameful things?"

This greatly worried Madam Chang.

She had no choice but to ask the mother who had followed her.

The woman glanced at Madam Chang, then walked to Madam Chen's side and whispered, "Madam Chen, if I may be so bold as to say a few words, please listen."

Madam Chang nodded hastily.

Her mother asked her, "Does Madam know that three years ago, the young master of the Lin Family didn't fail the exam; he didn't even go to take it!"

"I know, it's because he has an upset stomach."

Madam Chang had already inquired about these things, which were common knowledge to many.

"Madam may not know, but he's the only student at the Mingshan Academy who has diarrhea. Isn't that strange?"

The matriarch of the Duke Xingguo's Residence analyzed the situation. "There are only two possibilities: he really ate something bad, or he's faking it."

"If that's true, it means he's had bad luck. If it's false, then..." Mom paused, then said meaningfully, "There'll be a lot to say about that."

Madam Chang had completely forgotten where she was and asked nervously, "Mother, what should I say?"

The mother said in a low voice, "If he was framed, why didn't others frame others instead of just him? If he didn't want to go and used this as an excuse to avoid the exam, why wouldn't someone as academically outstanding as him take the exam?"

"Why..."

Madam Chang murmured, thought for a long time, and then blurted out, "He wouldn't dare!"

Only someone who feels guilty wouldn't dare to go into the exam room and prove themselves!

Just who is this young master of the Lin Family?

If her daughter marries into that family, she'll be falling into a den of wolves!

The mother sighed, her face contorted with worry, and said, "There are some social obligations that my wife simply can't refuse, but she can't bear to see your beautiful daughter suffer..."

Madam Chen looked utterly helpless.

Madam Chang gritted her teeth and sneered, "Madam Chen, rest assured, I won't reveal a single word of what happened today! Even if this marriage falls through, I'll find another reason to save face for the Lin Family, and I won't make things difficult for you!"

She was extremely grateful. "Madam Chen, I will remember your kindness. If you don't mind, we have a small Small Golden Buddha at home..."

Madam Chen smiled and declined, saying, "You're too kind."

Madam Chang was relieved that her daughter had escaped unharmed, and said with lingering fear, "It was only right."

Just as the two were about to reach the pavilion, a clear yet condescending voice, quite young, rang out. "I never imagined that a matriarch would resort to such despicable means to ruin the reputation of the Pure Stream Lin Family."

"What exactly did that Young Master of the Lin Family do to offend you that you would speak ill of him like this?"

Both Madam Chen and Madam Chang were startled.

The two took a step up the steps and saw that the pavilion was surrounded by many servants dressed in a low-key but dignified manner.

The young master who was speaking remained seated inside the pavilion, not showing his face at all.

Madam Chen is not an easy person to talk to.

She stepped forward and asked, "Who's eavesdropping up there?"

Nanny Lü glared at Madam Chen and snapped, "Get out!"

Madam Chen was startled.

Who is she?! She's lived for so many years, and it's been a very long time since anyone has been so presumptuous in front of her!

A servant from the Duke's Residence stepped forward and angrily said, "Who do you think you are, daring to speak to my lady like that?"

Nanny Lü sneered, "And who do you think you are, daring to shout at our lady?"

Madam Chen was so angry she laughed.

She had never seen anyone so arrogant in her role as "Madam".

A servant from the Duke's mansion pointed at Nanny Lü and shouted, "Do you know who you're talking to! This is—"

Who do you think you are!

Cuiqin came out and glared at the other person.

The servants of the Duke's mansion and Madam Chen were furious. How dare a young servant give them attitude!