Chapter 55: Branching Out (Qī Liǎng and Shì Bì+)

  Third update seeking pink!

  "Fourth sister, what's going on with mother?" As expected, Lin Xingyan couldn't help but start inquiring again.

  Lin Zhaoyan smiled lightly and said, "I came out with you, don't you think I would know?"

  Lin Xing said: "......"

  Lin Zhaoyan said, "Later I'll go see Fifth Sister, she lives with Mother in the same courtyard, maybe she knows, do you want to ask her?"

  Lin Xing's body trembled slightly as he spoke, and he immediately refused, "Forget it, let Wu Jie rest well!"

  Ever since the Liu Wenxuan incident, she had never met Lin Ruoyan again, not because she was afraid of her, but because she felt guilty in her subconscious.

  She didn't want to stick her face up there and be spat out again.

  Lin Ruoyan is really capable of doing such a thing!

  Lin Zhaoyan smiled and said, "Then you go back first, I'll go see Wu Mei."

  Lin Xing reluctantly nodded his head in agreement.

  Lin Zhaoyan guessed that Liu Shi was mostly because of yesterday's eavesdropping incident. Looking at her expression, she should have found out who did it.

  Sure, here is the translation:

  As expected, in the afternoon, Liu went to Old Lady Lin's place.

  It turned out that the person who came to eavesdrop yesterday was actually Lü Qiāo, Lin Qīnzhǐ's personal maid from the second house.

  Although Lu Qiao was born at home, she had an aunt from Shu State who taught her excellent embroidery skills.

  The embroidered flowers on that purse are so familiar that anyone who knows her can tell at a glance that they were done by Green Shoots, and she can't deny it.

  Green Bird admitted it without hesitation, saying that Eighth Girl had ordered her to eavesdrop.

  Mrs. Lin was furious when she found out, although this time the eavesdropping was a small matter. However, such sneaky behavior is taboo, and it's not something that a respectable lady would do.

  Lu Qiao was born into a humble family and her parents were extremely loyal to the Hou Manor, so she was only punished by Old Lady Lin to reflect on her actions in the countryside.

  As for Lin Qinzhi, the punishment should be much more severe.

  She was first severely scolded by Old Lady Lin. Then, she was banned from leaving the house for three months and ordered to copy "Admonitions for Women" in her room. No matter how much Second Mistress Qin begged for mercy, Old Lady Lin remained unmoved, blaming Qin for poor discipline and even implicating the other girls in the second household.

  Lin Zhaoyan was not surprised at all when he heard the news. The Fifth House had been the first to have trouble, followed by Lin Jiaming's Second House, and now it was the turn of the Second House again.

  She was uncertain whether Lin Xingzhi was the real culprit or had been framed, but one thing she could be sure of was that the second house must be unlucky. This time it wasn't eavesdropping, next time it would be stealing things. In short, a reason must be found to restrict their movements and prevent them from entering the palace.

  As for who was behind the scenes, whether it was Old Lady Lin or Mrs. Lu, she had no way of knowing.

  The end of the month is approaching quickly. Lin Ruoyan has also fully recovered. It can finally be done with a flourish to enter the palace and participate in the selection.

  Because Liu didn't have any instructions with her and Old Lady Lin was already old, it was decided that Madame Hou would accompany Lu Shi to go.

  And Seventh Young Lady Lin Xingyan was also asked to go together.

  On the day of entering the palace, Liu was worried that Lu and Lin would make trouble behind her back, so she held Lin's hand and repeatedly reminded her to be careful and cautious.

  The most annoying thing is that even Lin Ruoyan's words are annoying, let alone Lin Chen who is standing next to her.

  "Alright, don't say anything more. The time for entering the palace is almost here, and Ruo'er isn't stupid, it's not that easy to be deceived by others."

  Lin Ruoyan pouted, "Exactly, even if you want me to, I don't want to enter the palace anymore."

  "Pomegranate smiled and said, 'Don't worry, Master and Mistress. My aunt used to be a palace maid, so I'm also familiar with the situation in the palace. I'll take good care of Fifth Young Miss and won't let her get into any trouble.'"

  Lin Zhaoyan glanced at the pomegranate, it seemed that this girl had a kind of obsession with Lin Ruoyan entering the palace, hopefully Lin Xingyan wouldn't let her down.

  Liu was still worried and said, "I don't know why, but I feel anxious and uneasy in my heart."

  "That's just your own wild imagination." Lin Chen looked at her helplessly and said, "If you're really worried, then let Zhao'er accompany her together. Zhao'er has always been steady in his actions, you shouldn't have any concerns, right?"

  "How can that be!" Mrs. Liu retorted without hesitation, glaring fiercely at Lin Chen, "Even if it were my mother, she wouldn't agree to it!"

  "Don't think I don't know what you're thinking!"

  Lin Chen coughed awkwardly twice, then touched Lin Zhao Yan's hair and pretended to be wronged: "If we're not allowed to go, then we won't go, who cares! Zhao'er, don't you think so?"

  Lin Zhaoyan chuckled and nodded vigorously.

  At this time, a maid hastily entered the house and said: "Third Master, Third Madam, someone has come from the palace. The Empress Dowager has something to say and wants all the masters and madams of each house to go to the front yard to meet her."

  Liu was startled, "Someone beside the Empress Dowager?"

  Lin Chen also furrowed his brow, with a fleeting look of disgust in his eyes. "Why would the Empress Dowager send someone at this time? Did other princes' mansions receive visitors as well?"

  "The slave and servant girl don't know, the old lady invited the masters and mistresses of each house to go over and talk again."

  Lin Chen had no choice but to put aside his thoughts, grabbed Lin Zhao Yan's hand and said: "Let's go!"

  Lin Zhaoyan's voice was clear and he felt his fingertips tremble slightly, and he asked strangely: "Father?"

  Lin Chen turned around and smiled at her, "It's okay, Zhao'er, don't be afraid, come out with Father to take a look."

  She's not afraid at all!

  Lin Zhaoyan furrowed his brow deeply, feeling as if Lin Chen had suddenly come alive in his own world.

  Liu also collected his thoughts and looked at Lin Chen's eyes, which were filled with worry, sadness and resentment.

  She took a few steps forward, held Lin Chen's arm and said softly: "Sir, I'll accompany you."

  Lin Chen smiled and nodded, but that smile was too bitter.

  Lin Zhaoyan was bewildered, and he glanced sideways at Lin Ruoyan, who apparently had no idea what was going on either.

  Empress Dowager...

  What is the Empress Dowager doing by sending a message at this time? Moreover, it's not even in the form of an imperial edict, clearly indicating that it's a private matter.

  The group of people soon left the inner courtyard and arrived at the outer courtyard's reception hall.

  The master and mistress of each house, along with several young ladies, were all waiting there.

  There was a middle-aged man dressed in official attire sitting at the head of the upper room chatting with Lin Kun.

  Before long, Old Lady Lin came walking slowly with the support of her maid.

  Almost subconsciously, she glanced at Lin Chen, with a hint of worry between her eyebrows.

  Fortunately, Lin Chen had adjusted his mentality and stood like a big tree in front of Lin Zhao Yan.

  Old Lady Lin also collected her thoughts and walked towards the eunuch, smiling and saying: "Lord Fang, I apologize for not welcoming you properly from afar, please forgive me."

  Mr. Fang also returned a courtesy, smiling and saying: "Old Lady Lin, this is really embarrassing for our family, we are just following the orders of Her Majesty to handle matters, please don't be polite."

  Old Lady Lin smiled and walked over to sit across from him.

  Mr. Fang didn't rush to discuss the main topic, instead chatting with Old Lady Lin about this and that, mostly revolving around Jingfei, such as "Jingfei has already walked out of her painful past, she's much better now" or "The Third Prince recently received praise from the Emperor, Jingfei is also basking in the glory".

  Mrs. Lin listened absent-mindedly, her smile looking stiff.

  She knew that the Empress Dowager had secretly sent someone this time, and it was impossible to chat with her about family matters. It was probably not a good thing, just like fourteen years ago.

  As expected, after some small talk, Fang Gonggong got down to business.

  He said: "The Empress Dowager ordered us to come this time in order to discuss with Old Lady Lin about meeting someone."

  Mrs. Lin's heart skipped a beat.

  A smile floated onto Fang Gong's face, and his gaze suddenly shifted to the several young ladies standing in the front hall. A sharp, delicate voice echoed through the hall: "I wonder which one of you is the Fourth Miss of the Hou Manor?"

  Lin Chen grasped Lin Zhao Yan's hand tightly.

  Lin Zhaoyan's heart also tightened, and he looked at Director Fang with some incredulity.

  Fourth Miss, isn't she Fourth Miss? The Empress Dowager originally wanted to see her? But why?

  Lin Zhaoyan's mind was in a mess.

  Others also looked at Lin Zhaoyan with a bewildered expression in their eyes.

  Lin Zhaoyan made an effort to calm himself down, then stepped forward and said respectfully: "Reporting to Your Excellency, the junior is visiting the Hou Mansion for the fourth time."

  The old man looked her up and down, smiled with satisfaction. "Indeed a young lady from the Marquis's household, her behavior is dignified and elegant."

  His words were praise, but somehow, when they reached Old Lady Lin's ears, they all sounded sarcastic.

  Fourth sister, Fourth sister has nothing to do with you all for a long time, thirteen years have passed and no one has ever cared about her, now she's back!

  To be honest, Mrs. Lin was very angry, but she couldn't lose her temper, so she stiffened her face and said: "The old master has spoiled you, Fourth Miss, your temperament is introverted, and you can't stand being scolded."

  "I don't think so." Director Fang looked at Lin Zhaoyan again and finally said, "The Empress Dowager was lucky to have escaped from the Lingyun Temple that day thanks to the reminder of Fourth Miss. This is also a rare fate. The Empress Dowager wants to thank her in person and reward her, but I don't know if Fourth Miss will come with us this time?"

  This means that Lin Zhaoyan is clearly going to enter the palace alone.

  "Lingyun Temple?" Old Lady Lin furrowed her brow deeply.

  Lin Zhaoyan never expected that the old man she kindly reminded that day would be the Empress Dowager, nor did she expect that the Empress Dowager would investigate her background and let her enter the palace.

  Feeling the malicious and jealous eyes around her, she had to force herself to roughly recount what happened that day, a sense of powerlessness welled up.

  She never wanted to be a pioneer, but heaven seemed to be against her, always pushing her to the forefront.

  Mr Fang smiled and said: "Lin Si is really formidable, how did she know that the eastern mountain would collapse?"

  Lin Zhaoyan smiled wryly and replied calmly: "The little girl also heard it from a young monk at Lingyun Temple, but she just listened from afar and remembered it."

  She attributed this "credit" to Lingyun Temple, and how they would solve it was their own problem.

  With someone as worldly and experienced as Ming's aunt around, it shouldn't be too difficult.

  Old Fang nodded thoughtfully.

  Mrs. Lin slightly frowned, she thought it was the Empress Dowager intentionally picking on her, didn't expect there would be another development like this.

  She didn't know what the Empress meant, whether she really wanted to see Lin Zhaoyan again and reward her, or if she was going to choose her to enter the palace as a companion. But she knew that this matter was not something she could decline or refuse.

  The Empress Dowager had made up her mind to let Lin Zhaoyan enter the palace today, otherwise she would not have chosen to inform him just before departure. She was afraid that the people of the Marquis's residence would secretly take action, so she came at this time point, making it impossible for the Marquis's residence to find a reason to refuse.