Chapter Thirty-One: Something Happens

  Perilla went ahead to the backyard first, Lin Zhaoyan was worried that something unexpected would happen, so he also let Manhua follow her.

  She went alone to the front yard.

  The banquet is over, and the screens with landscape paintings that separated the male guests from the female family members have been removed. People are gathering in small groups to bid each other farewell.

  "Ah, you're back?" Lin Huaming, the eldest aunt of the Lin family who had married out, saw her and hurriedly waved at her.

  Lin Zhaoyan suppressed the surging thoughts in her heart and stepped forward quickly, smiling: "Big sister, are you going back?"

  "Uh-huh." Lin Huaming nodded and pointed to the Pingyuan Hou Shizi, who was being supported by a maid behind him with an obvious flush on his face. He complained: "Drank too much, starting to talk nonsense! I still wanted to say that I would stay overnight at home, but now it's embarrassing. Grandmother also had a few cups of wine over there, so I won't bother her. You have the maid brew some tea to sober up and serve Grandmother, then help me bid farewell and tell her I'm leaving first."

  Lin Zhaoyan felt a pang of sadness in her heart.

  Lin Huaming is the eldest daughter of the Lang family, spoiled since childhood, and is undoubtedly the pearl in the palm, the true pride of heaven.

  But she didn't have the bad temper of those rich girls, she was kind and liked to stand up for justice. Because Lin Zhaoyan was often bullied, her sense of justice made her especially good to him from a young age. Although this kindness had some condescending meaning, as long as it was sincere, Lin Zhaoyan didn't mind.

  Before she got married, Lin Zhaoyan also had a close friend in the mansion who could talk to her.

  But later, Lin Huaming, the spoiled granddaughter, was arranged by Old Lady Lin to marry Pingyuan Hou's son, who had accomplished nothing and was mediocre.

  Lin Huaming had a grievance in his heart and did not return home for three years after getting married.

  Still, Huan's sister and Huai's brother were born one after another, and Lu Shi kept coming to the door to comfort her. Lin Huaming only put down his resentment then, and would occasionally return to the manor in these two years.

  Lin Huaming's experience should be said to be Lin Zhao's true despair towards the Hou Mansion.

  But at this moment, such a simple and kind girl completely forgot how Old Lady Lin had coerced her into marrying the unworthy Pingyuan Marquis's son for the sake of family interests, and yet she said something like that to her.

  She had to get on well with Old Lady Lin in order to secure a good future for herself.

  Lin Zhaoyan smiled painfully, but couldn't bear to refute Lin Huaming's kind intentions.

  Now Lin Huaming has a complete son and daughter, although her husband is incompetent, but at least she has stood firm in the Pingyuan Marquis's mansion.

  Furthermore, Pingyuan Hou's eldest son is the heir, and he will be able to inherit the title. In the future, it can be passed on to Hui Ge'er, as long as they get through this, their future will be bright.

  This can also be considered as Lin Huaming's great luck in his misfortune.

  She must have also come to realize this point, and over the years, her resentment towards Old Lady Lin gradually dissipated.

  "Alright, I understand." Lin Zhaoyan nodded seriously and said: "Big sister, you should go back too, take care of yourself."

  "Silly girl." Lin Huaming shook his head with a smile, and then said to Yuanniang's sister and Hui Ge'er in her arms: "We're going back, say goodbye to Fourth Aunt quickly."

  "Goodbye, Fourth Aunt!" Two crisp and lively voices, rosy little faces exceptionally cute.

  Lin Zhaoyan furrowed his brow and smiled as he patted their heads, "Alright, goodbye."

  After seeing off Lin Huaming, Lin Zhaoyan was pulled by Madam Ma and a group of sisters to send other relatives out the door, until 11:45 pm, they finally sent everyone out of the house.

  When they returned to the front yard, Madam Ma said to the girls: "You all go back and rest, I and the maid will clean up here."

  The men had drunk too much wine and left the table early, while the wives of the other houses didn't care about anything and also returned to their courtyard very early. Madame Hou and Liu were accompanying the uncomfortable Old Lady Lin, and the young ladies from wealthy families were all spoiled, so all the heavy responsibilities fell on Ma's shoulders.

  Fortunately, she has always been diligent and hardworking, managing things in an orderly manner, and has never made any mistakes.

  The girls all nodded "yes" and backed away with a bow.

  Lin Zhao did not leave.

  Ma Shi said: "Zhaoyan, why don't you go back?"

  "Sister-in-law, where did they go?" She returned to the courtyard and didn't see Lin Ruoyan and Lu Yanzi, nor did she know where they had run off to.

  Ma smiled and said, "It's said that Yan Ge was scratched by a tree branch and hurt his hand. If Jie Er and Jin Jie are worried, they rushed to see him in a hurry."

  "Where are they?" She had just seen them a moment ago, so they should be either in the front yard or the back yard, definitely not gone.

  Ma smiled and said, "Does Zhao Yan also worry about you, Lu Shixiong?"

  She's just joking.

  Lin Zhaoyan knew she didn't have any ill intentions, so she lowered her eyes and said softly: "It's from Wen Xuan's side, someone came to say that he has a fever. Fifth sister is close with Wen Xuan, I thought I'd let her know."

  Ma's brow furrowed, "Fever? Is it serious? I had Huasheng go take a look, why didn't she come notify me?"

  As soon as this was said, Lin Chao's words made Liu Wenyuan even more certain that his illness and fever were a conspiracy.

  "Cuishan, you quickly go take a look, if the situation is not good, don't notify me either, just let Wang Gui's family find a doctor to come over." Ma said, and then asked Liu Ayi: "Do you know where my cousin's wife went?"

  Liu Ayi shook her head, "Just now several masters had too much to drink. When the old lady mentioned the late Sixth Princess, she was so sad that she also drank a few cups of wine. The scene was chaotic for a while, and I didn't even notice when this maternal aunt left the table."

  Ma's brow furrowed in thought for a moment before she said, "Alright, send a few maids to search around. I'll go and report back to Mother first."

  This banquet was arranged by her and the guests were also invited by her. Since others came safely, she must ensure they return safely too, without any mishaps.

  In fact, she had also assisted the Lu family in hosting several birthday banquets in the past, and the scene was much larger than today's, with more people and more chaos, but it seemed that there had never been a time like today when things were out of control.

  It feels like there's someone behind pushing waves and stirring up trouble on purpose, making people distracted and having no time to think.

  A few people were about to leave to do their own things, when suddenly a white-clad maid rushed over from the Moon Gate, her pretty face full of fear, as if she had encountered something terrifying.

  "Frost?" Mr. Ma's heart skipped a beat, with an ominous premonition.

  The maid rushed forward with a pale face and said intermittently: "Young master, young mistress, something's wrong, something's wrong!"

  "What's wrong? Calm down and tell me slowly." Madam Ma gently patted Fu Rong's back, speaking softly to comfort her.

  The frost on her face had eased a bit, but there was still a hint of fear hidden in her eyes.

  She took a deep breath and leaned in close to Mrs. Ma's ear, whispering something softly.

  Ma's whole body shook, and his eyes were filled with incredulity.

  "Sister-in-law, what's going on?" Lin Zhaoyan saw the situation and knew it wasn't good, so he hastily asked in a trembling voice.

  Ma's clenched her fists and stood stiffly for a moment before slowly saying, "Zhaoyan, you go back first. There are some things that aren't for you to ask about, listen."

  Lin Zhaoyan could only nod obediently and retreated with a worried heart.

  Thanks for the reward from Winter Night Rain Stroll, Qian He and Sky Has Faint Blue