Linlin

Biodata

Background / History

Concealed Birth and Early Neglect

Linlin was born to Tang Zhuyun outside marriage, and the Tang family concealed the circumstances of his birth. Although he calls her his aunt, he knows she is his mother and understands that his biological father’s identity is unknown. This knowledge causes him considerable shame and insecurity 2 10.

Tang Zhuyun’s predecessor neglected him, took meat reserved for him, and once attempted to sell him. Tang Baixin stopped that attempt by severely beating her. Baixin and Tang Mingfan subsequently avoided leaving Linlin at home with her because they feared she might try again 2 13.

Bullying at Prince Rong’s Academy

Linlin attended Prince Rong’s household academy while Tang Baixin worked at the Ministry of Personnel. Despite excelling academically, he struggled with riding because his family could not afford a horse. He concealed his difficulties to avoid adding to his father’s and grandfather’s worries 7 9.

After discovering bruises on his arm, belly, and back, the transmigrated Tang Zhuyun treated his injuries and arranged a day away from school. Linlin initially distrusted her concern, believing she was using him to regain Tang Baixin’s favor 8 9.

When Tang Zhuyun later brought him lunch, she found Prince Rong’s young commandery prince sitting on him and beating him. Linlin had endured the abuse without retaliating because he feared expulsion. Zhuyun attacked the bully and declared that Linlin would no longer attend the academy. Her intervention moved him to tears, and he left with her willingly 11 12.

Tang Baixin agreed to withdraw him after learning about the bullying and seeing his injuries. He apologized for overlooking Linlin’s situation and arranged to assign schoolwork and review it in the evenings. Tang Mingfan also approved the change 13.

Life at Home and Imperial Recognition

Linlin chose to remain with Tang Zhuyun, saying that she treated him well. Alongside his studies, he began teaching her to read, received a horse named Gale, and persuaded her to buy chicks for him to raise 13 15 20.

The Prince of Jin’s frequent visits brought riding lessons, hunting trips, writing guidance, and play. Their growing friendship helped Linlin recover emotionally from his experiences at the academy 28.

At a palace banquet, Linlin escorted Yanran to greet the Prince of Jin and then paid his respects to the emperor. The emperor praised him, encouraged him to become an upright official like Tang Mingfan, and rewarded him with writing supplies, a chicken-blood stone, and gold and silver ingots 34.

Despite his affection for the prince, Linlin became unhappy when the emperor decreed that Tang Zhuyun would marry him as a secondary consort 37.

Appearance

• Hair: Long, straight, glossy black hair that hangs down his back when loose 7.
• Eyes: Dark, described as obsidian; his eyes and brows resemble Tang Mingfan’s 12 34.
• Build and health: Small enough that he stands on tiptoe to reach the household water jar. His health is initially poor following the family’s inadequate diet 7 11.

Personality

Linlin is reserved, proud, and unusually serious for his age. Tang Zhuyun considers him the family’s most poker-faced member. He initially rejects her help and watches her promises closely, quickly assuming she has disappointed him when her intentions are unclear 6 7 9 11.

He is intensely self-motivated academically. Determined to become a top scholar like Tang Mingfan and Tang Baixin, he takes suggestions of a lesser result as a lack of confidence in him. Even after leaving the academy, he spends much of his time reading and practicing calligraphy 11 13.

His independence conceals a strong fear of abandonment. He asks Tang Zhuyun not to surrender him to his biological father and warns her never to give him away again. Once convinced of her sincerity, he becomes protective of her, tries to accept punishment on her behalf, and promises to support her in the future 10 12 13 16.

Abilities & Skills

Memory and Scholarship

Linlin has an exceptional memory; Tang Zhuyun observes that he practically never forgets anything he sees 13.

• Excels in his studies at Prince Rong’s academy 9.
• Studies reading and calligraphy at home under Tang Baixin’s supervision 13.
• Teaches Tang Zhuyun and later Yanran to read 13 45.

Arithmetic and Problem-Solving

Linlin solves Tang Zhuyun’s chickens-and-rabbits problem by testing possible numbers, correctly identifying seven chickens and five rabbits from twelve animals with thirty-four feet 20.

• Recognizes that trial and error would be impractical with larger numbers.
• Continues searching for a better method rather than accepting the answer alone.
• Understands the shortcut after Zhuyun suggests imagining the rabbits standing on two legs 20.

Martial Arts and Riding

• Muay Thai and boxing: Begins exercising with Tang Zhuyun, who offers to teach him Muay Thai and later promises further boxing instruction. His poor initial health limits training 11 19.
• Riding: Initially lacks experience and performs poorly in academy riding lessons. The Prince of Jin later teaches him, lets him ride his treasured steed, and takes him galloping and hunting 9 28.

Etiquette

• Greets guests formally and directs Xiu’er to serve tea when the Prince of Jin visits 20.
• Handles palace greetings confidently enough that Tang Zhuyun entrusts him with escorting Yanran 34.

Equipment / Animals / Gifts

• Gale: Horse obtained through Tang Zhuyun’s arrangement with a horse trader after she provokes Ruan Anruo into overpaying for another horse. Linlin names Gale and enthusiastically brushes and feeds him 14 15.
• Chicks: Pets bought by Tang Zhuyun at his request; he feeds them millet and water 20.
• Imperial rewards: The four treasures of the study, a chicken-blood stone intended for carving a seal, and a pouch of gold and silver ingots 34.

Relationships

• Tang Zhuyun — Biological mother, addressed as his aunt. Her defense of him at the academy becomes the decisive turning point in rebuilding his trust 10 12 13.
• Tang Baixin — Maternal uncle and father figure. Oversees his education, apologizes for missing the bullying, and gives him a choice about staying home with Zhuyun 13.
• Tang Mingfan — Maternal grandfather and academic role model. Linlin hopes to follow his example by becoming a top scholar and bringing honor to the family 11 13.
• Prince of Jin — Riding teacher and playmate whom Linlin admires and defends when Zhuyun criticizes him 28.
• Yanran — Companion and reading pupil. Linlin keeps watch when she is ill and worries that she might miss the dragon boat races he promised to take her to 32 45.
• Madam Song — Great-grandmother whom Linlin openly hates. Tang Zhuyun suspects he knows about her past mistreatment of his mother 47.

Notable Quotes

“I don’t need a biological father. If you ever foist me off on someone else again, I’ll never forgive you. Never, ever!” 10

“I want to pee farther than His Highness!” 28

Trivia

• Tang Mingfan chose Linlin’s name to express the hope that he would live with dignity and vigor 3.
• Tang Zhuyun calls him a “self-tiger-parenting child” because he pushes himself academically without needing adult pressure 11.
• He once shared a carrot with Gale by taking turns eating it, prompting Tang Zhuyun to warn him against doing so again 15.