Shameless

"Is it really him...?"

Lin Yunwan returned to the Drooping Silk Hall, somewhat lost in thought.

Ping Ye fetched her a cloak, closed the door, and asked, "Madam, who are you talking about?"

Lin Yunwan smiled and said, "Go get some pen and ink. I'll write a letter to my brother. We'll find out by asking the family."

She picked up her pen and wrote with effortless grace; before she knew it, a letter was finished in the blink of an eye.

The Ping Ye were dried, sealed, and sent to the Lin Family that very evening.

The Lin Family replied the next day.

Since his Elder Sister had guessed it, Lin Yunyi didn't hide anything from her in his reply letter, and he also described in detail Madam Lin's eye ailment.

However, Madam Lin's eye ailment cannot be explained in just a few words.

She said to Ping Ye, "My brother asked me to go back and check on things in person when I have time. Old Madam Xia is leaving today. Is the money ready? Also, please bring me the gift list for their Housewarming."

Tao Ye was handling these matters. She took out the tea from the brazier, poured a cup for Lin Yunwan, and said methodically, "The money is ready. When we send them off, Nanny Yuan will deliver it. There's still one screen on the gift list that hasn't been decided yet. The Old Madam said the chicken-wing wood one in the storeroom is very good, but it seems that Eldest Aunt Jia doesn't quite like it..."

This isn't something Lu Jia can decide; there are established rules for everything.

Lin Yunwan said, "Send it according to the old custom."

If she were to thank Old Madam Xia separately regarding her mother's matter in the future, that would be a matter for the Lin Family and would have nothing to do with the Marquis's Marquis's Residence.

After lunch, Lin Yunwan asked the Front Courtyard to prepare a carriage, as she wanted to go back to her parents' home after the Xia family left.

After bidding farewell to Old Madam Lu, the Xia family members were all eager to leave and did not stay for dinner.

Not wanting to force her to stay, Old Madam Lu could only say to Old Madam Xia, "We're all relatives. You're not familiar with the Capital yet, so why not visit our residence more often?"

Although Old Madam Xia verbally agreed, her eyes were not as warm as when she first came to the Lu family.

When Nanny Yan came over to serve tea, she casually remarked, "Old Madam, someone just came from the Front Courtyard and said that our Cousin Miss's engagement has been called off."

Old Madam Lu, "It's good that it's been withdrawn. It was a karmic entanglement from the start, and it shouldn't have happened in the first place."

These words were meant for Old Madam Xia's ears. With the engagement called off, the matter would no longer be a hidden danger, and she wouldn't need to worry too much. The Wuding Marquis Residence was known for its discretion in handling matters.

However, this wasn't the only thing that Old Madam Xia cared about.

Before leaving, she said to Old Madam Lu, "I'm not afraid of the children making mistakes, I'm afraid of them making the same mistakes repeatedly. If you would listen to me, Old Madam, you should rectify the family's conduct as soon as possible and get the men in line with your ways."

Old Madam Lu verbally agreed, but in her heart she thought, "My grandson is so old already. If he's easy to care for, why would outsiders need to interfere?"

He then said to Old Madam Xia, "From now on, the matter of Zhengliu will still be entrusted to the Old Master and the Eldest Master."

Lu Jia quickly chimed in, "Grandmother, don't worry, Grandma will definitely keep my brother's matter in mind."

Old Madam Xia smiled but remained silent.

She dared not agree so easily; who knew what other scandals the Lu family might have in store for them in the future?

"It's getting late, Old Madam, please don't see us off any further. We'll head back now to tidy up the house."

Old Madam Lu personally saw the person out of the hanging flower gate.

The Xia family all left decisively, but Lu Jia was the only one who couldn't bear to return to her husband's family.

Once in the carriage, she tearfully complained to Roujuan, "Houses in the Capital are so expensive! I heard the newly acquired house only has five courtyards. With so many people in the family, I'll only get a small Courtyard at most, and I'll have to live with his Concubines and Concubine-born Son children!"

"It's so crowded it's killing people."

Roujuan sighed, "Madam, try to think more positively. The Wuding Marquis Residence's mansion was earned by generations of the Lu family's ancestors. No matter where you marry, you won't be as comfortable as Lu family."

Lu Jia said resentfully, "That Lin Yunwan is really lucky! I doubt she ever lived such a comfortable life back in the Lin Family!"

Roujuan replied, "From what I can tell, the life of the Heir's Wife may not be so comfortable..."

Lu Jia frowned. "What are you saying in her defense?"

Roujuan lowered her head and changed her words, saying, "Zhuo has just recovered, but Hong is also ill. The Eldest Master dotes on Hong the most. When we get there, Madam, please quickly fetch Physician for Little Miss."

Lu Jia was extremely impatient, but she still had to keep this matter in mind.

She finally vented her anger on Lin Yunwan: "She doesn't know how to cherish such a good life. She dares to treat my brother with disrespect when he takes a concubine. If she fell into my mother-in-law's hands, would she be so comfortable?"

Roujuan stopped speaking up for Lin Yunwan and quickly brushed it off.

After the Lu family saw the Xia family off, Lin Yunwan said she also needed to go home.

She cannot go out without her elders' permission.

Knowing about her mother's eye condition, Wei Shi generously said, "Don't worry, I'll take care of everything at home."

Old Madam Lu didn't say anything. After all, she was Lin Yunwan's mother. If the Lu family was this heartless, Lin Yunwan would truly be heartbroken. Her grandson would never be able to win her back.

Nanny Yan helped her back to the Hall of Longevity.

She then asked, "Have the people we sent out returned?"

Nanny Yan said, "It's not that fast." What she said to Old Madam Xia just now was deliberately said to her.

Old Madam Lu, "Come and let me know as soon as you get back."

Nanny Yan nodded.

The two went back inside and started talking about the medicine again.

"Old Madam, you're right. The original one is dead, but her apprentice is still alive. She's also an expert in these things. At first, she tried to fool me, but I tricked her two or three times before she finally slipped up."

"I pestered her for a long time, and finally we agreed that the medicine would cost five hundred taels of silver, enough for three months..."

Nanny Yan raised her hand and made a three-pointer.

Old Madam Lu, "The silver is nothing. Take it from my treasury, but do it quietly and don't let anyone find out."

"Of course."

Old Madam Lu frowned and asked, "How is she now?"

Nanny Yan said, "This time she's under strict house arrest; even Young Master Qing can't go over. Don't worry, she won't be released until the people who went out return."

Having fallen ill this time, Old Madam Lu was prone to drowsiness and fell asleep after saying only a few words.

The Imperial Palace.

After Qi Lingheng finished his Imperial Father, he came out of the palace and saw that A Fu was not as peaceful as usual while waiting for him outside. He asked, "What happened?"

A Fu rushed forward and said, "It's a matter concerning the Lin Family."

Qi Lingheng strode forward and said, "Lin Family go to the Prince's mansion to fetch medicine?"

He instructed A Fu, "If there's any in the manor, pick out the best ones and give them to him."

A Fu snorted and said, "It's not about that." He bowed and followed behind his master, whispering, "You'd never guess why the Heir Apparent of the Lu family is ignoring Madam Lin's affairs."

"What is it?" Qi Lingheng glanced at A Fu and warned him, "Stop beating around the bush."

A Fu said angrily, "Master Li had already arrived at the Lu family, waiting to go with him, but he just left him there!"

"You've seen Master Li's temper yourself. He can't even wait for people from the palace. This Heir Apparent of the Lu family has such a big ego; he expects people to wait for him when he needs their help!"

"I really don't know what's wrong with his brain. What does it have to do with him that a distant 'younger female cousin' is making such a fuss? Not only has he messed things up, but he's probably also embarrassed the Heir's Wife's wife."

Qi Lingheng frowned. "Is it really all for a woman?"

A Fu nodded. "The servants living in the back street of the Wuding Marquis Residence said it themselves, it can't be wrong."

"How despicable."

Qi Lingheng said disdainfully.

A Fu also said, "Isn't it just a lowly thing..."

Suddenly, something felt off. When had Prince ever cursed anyone?