Chapter Sixteen: The Omen Fulfilled

  The moon is bright and the stars are sparse. The bright moon hangs high, and the silver-white moonlight pours down, casting a faint layer of silver radiance over the Hou Mansion.

  Rong's mother, dressed in plain clothes, hurriedly walked through the corridor with a lantern made of paper pasted on a frame, and entered the main gate of Rong Shou Tang.

  She handed the lantern to the maid standing inside the house and tidied up her clothes, then walked towards the east warm pavilion.

  Mrs. Lin was leaning against the warm kang by the window in the east wing, her eyes closed, her expression tired and worried.

  Rong's mother pushed open the door and entered the house, clearing her throat softly before speaking: "Old lady."

  "Hmm." Old Lady Lin raised her eyelids and said faintly, "Has Fourth Miss been sent back?"

  "She's gone back." Rong Mama walked up and replied, "Coincidentally, I ran into Wang Niang who was just coming out of the Xiangxiang Pavilion. I saw that her expression didn't look right."

  Lin old lady snorted, "Let her go and make a fuss! But with some confusing men's fox charm, what kind of waves can she stir up?"

  Rong's mother responded with a "yes".

  "What about your sister? How did Yuxin deal with her after she went back?"

  Rong's mother sighed and said helplessly: "The fifth girl is a stubborn child who refuses to admit defeat, and was softly restrained by the third madam."

  "I've watched her grow up since she was a child, and she's always been proud, but not someone who doesn't know etiquette. But what's wrong with her these days? The other day she physically fought with Jin sister, and today she actually made a scene with the Zhou family's daughter in front of so many people! If it wasn't for Si Yatou reacting quickly, our face would have been lost outside! I don't know how we'll be able to arrange her marriage in the future!"

  Old Lady Lin became more and more angry as she spoke. She had originally thought that Ruo Jie was a good candidate to enter the palace, although she was a bit arrogant, but also knowledgeable and courteous. However, her recent behavior had truly disappointed her! With such a temperament entering the palace, wouldn't she offend everyone?!

  "The old lady sighed in anger." Rong's mother hurriedly went up to help her pat her back and comforted: "The fifth girl was brought up by you, as the saying goes, it's easy to change the mountains and rivers but hard to change one's nature. She is not a bad person who looks down on others. What she has done in recent days must have had a reason. Just need to guide her well."

  Madam Lin's expression slightly softened, but she still said with a hint of frustration: "If only she had half of Siyi's composure, I wouldn't have to worry so much. The servants in the mansion all say that Siyi is foolish, but I think she's actually very astute. Just now, her words seemed like a report on the situation, but between the lines, she was hinting that Xiaojie isn't suitable for entering the palace. I don't know what her intentions are, but I have to admit, she has shaken me."

  "The fourth young lady is good, but the people in the mansion all say she's not good. You wouldn't know the reason, Old Lady." Rong Mama said with some emotion, having just sent the fourth young lady back, she had always been gentle and polite. It was late at night, and she still didn't forget to give her a cloak to wear, people's hearts are made of flesh, she wasn't ungrateful.

  "That thing has passed for so many years, why should the grudges of the older generation be imposed on the children? Everyone has seen what Si Gu Niang has done over the years, who doesn't know the truth and feel heartbroken and moved? Some blame is really unnecessary..."

  Mrs. Lin also sighed deeply, those years, those years...

  "Never mind, never mind, let's talk about this later!" She didn't want to recall the past and changed the subject: "Old Three sent a letter a few days ago saying he would arrive soon. Go tell Yuxin to clean up Yi'an Hall and prepare for his arrival."

  Rong's mother saw the situation and didn't say anything more, she could only silently pray in her heart, hoping that in the future, Third Madam wouldn't have any conflicts with Fourth Young Lady over marriage matters. Having not had a happy time at her natal home, after going to her husband's family, she must be allowed to live comfortably!

  Lin Zhaoyan also knew about Lin Ruoyan being placed under house arrest by the Liu family last night. To be honest, she was quite surprised. After all, the Liu family had always doted on Lin Ruoyan and couldn't bear to let her get hurt even if they bumped into each other, so how could they possibly put her under house arrest?

  Did Lin Ruoyan say something that made Liu angry?

  She was at a loss, and when she went to Rufu Hall to pay her respects, Lin Ruoyan really didn't show up either.

  Lin Xing was very happy, and on the way to pay respects to Old Lady Lin with everyone, she kept trying to get close to her and asked about the truth of Lin Ruoyan's house arrest.

  Lin Zhaoyan was too lazy to respond to her, either not speaking or answering "I don't know", which made Lin Xingyan feel very uninteresting, and only then did she stop.

  They arrived at Rongshou Hall, where the people from the second and fifth houses had already gathered around Old Lady Lin, chatting with her. It was unclear what they were saying, but it made Old Lady Lin cover her mouth and laugh uncontrollably.

  "You mischievous monkey, you really know how to put on a show!" Old Lady Lin's face looked much better, completely unlike the solemn and gloomy expression she had when she came to report the news yesterday.

  Lin Zhaoyan is indeed worthy of being the matriarch of a noble family, her emotions are well-controlled, she can already go and get the little golden man.

  "What's making Mother so happy?" Liu also softened her expression and smiled as she stepped into the house.

  Old Lady Lin shifted her gaze to them, and when she saw Lin Zhaoyan, she paused for a moment before returning to normal. She smiled and pointed at the second wife's daughter, Ba Gu Niang, saying to Liu Shi: "This little girl is being mischievous! Laughing so hard it hurts my belly!"

  Ever since something happened in the palace, Old Lady Lin had not been so happy for a long time.

  The mother of the Eighth Girl, Qin Shi, chimed in and said: "It was just yesterday on the way back to the mansion that they ran into Young Master Liu. When he saw Jie'er, he wanted to make way for her but didn't expect to trip and fall flat on his face, getting a mouthful of dirt. Xiner couldn't help but burst out laughing! And now, she's telling me about it and even imitating the way her brother-in-law fell!"

  Liu Daguangzi is the eldest son of the Liu family, the Shaoqing of Hongtule Temple. He was engaged to Lin Peishan from the second house. If it weren't for the Crown Prince's affair, they would have gotten married this March. The betrothal gifts had already been sent, and he was indeed the brother-in-law of Ba Jie.

  The eighth girl Lin Qingshi covered her mouth and laughed: "It's really funny, lying on the ground with four limbs stretched out like a turtle!"

  Qin's family scolded her, "You said your brother-in-law is a turtle, then what about your sister!"

  "Ha! You're just like a turtle's wife!" Lin Xinming from the main house teased.

  This remark was followed by another burst of loud laughter.

  Lin Zhaoyan sat quietly on the velvet sofa, holding a white porcelain tea cup with blue and white flowers in her hand, taking small sips from time to time, unmoved by their lively chatter.

  Several people chatted and laughed for a while, when Qin suddenly said: "By the way, do you know that yesterday, the mountain on the east side of the city collapsed, killing many people? The second master was summoned out in a hurry this morning. Isn't that road the one leading from the imperial palace to Lingyun Temple? Outsiders are all saying it's because the prince died with his eyes open!"

  Old Lady Lin's heart skipped a beat, and then she slammed her hand on the table heavily. "You scoundrel! How can you utter such nonsense!"

  Everyone's heart also trembled with the shaking of the table.

  Lin Zhaoyan was shocked on the spot, and his hand holding the teacup trembled slightly.

  It's really come true...

  Nor did she know if the old man had heard her yesterday.

  So many people were crushed to death! Lin Zhaoyan's heart was tightly clenched. This feeling of being able to predict the disaster, yet unable to prevent it, is really... really frustrating!

  "Mother, it's not what I said..." Qin Shi pouted, looking quite wronged.

  "Disaster comes from the mouth, can you also guess the royal family's affairs?! Outsiders can say it, but as an official's wife, can you afford to say it?! Don't get old two into trouble because of your one sentence!"

  Qin realized the severity of the situation and anxiously said: "It was my wife's fault, I hope mother will forgive her."

  "Grandma, Mother didn't mean to, she just heard the news from Father's servant this morning and thought she couldn't hide it from you, so she misspoke. Please forgive her since she meant well!"

  "It's not about whether I forgive or not, it's about her being careful with her words!" Mrs. Lin's good mood was completely ruined, she didn't want to talk to them anymore and waved her hand saying: "All of you go back, I'm tired."

  Lin Qinzhi wanted to say more, but Rong's mother stood up and said: "Everyone please go back! Eighth sister, isn't it that you love the winter plum blossoms in Old Lady's courtyard? They're blooming just right now, pick a few branches to take back home and admire them. If you wait any later, they'll be gone."

  Lin Qin bit her lip and had no choice but to obediently answer "yes".

  After everyone had left, Mrs. Rong said to Lin Lao Tai Tai, who was worried: "It's just a rumor from the streets, it won't have any impact on the palace."

  Old Lady Lin also knew, but after all, she had a guilty conscience...

  Lin Zhaoyan also walked out of the house with a lot on his mind, and just as he was feeling anxious, someone grabbed his arm.

  She turned around and saw a proud Lin Jingming.

  "I heard Lin Ruoyan has been put under house arrest? Did something interesting happen at the temple yesterday?"

  The mansion has a high gate and a large courtyard, with eight paths leading to it, and there are eyes and ears everywhere. She doesn't believe that Lin Jingming didn't know, but rather came specifically to mock her.

  "This matter is clear to Madame Hou, Third Sister should go back and ask Madame Hou!" Lin Zhaoxian was in a bad mood, so she retorted and then flung off her hand and walked forward.

  Lin Jinming laughed incredulously: "Is that Lin Zhao Yan? She actually dares to dump me? Doesn't she know who she is?"

  She was angry, but Lin Zhaoyan didn't bother to argue with her. Instead, he said to Manhua: "Isn't your father working outside the courtyard? Ask him to find an opportunity to go out and ask about this collapse, or get close to Ba Gu Niang's side, Hu Yan. Second Uncle works in the government office, he must know the situation."

  "Miss, what is this for?" Man Hua asked strangely.

  "I just want to know." Want to know how many more lives she has seen perish before her eyes.

  The next afternoon, Manhua reported back with the news.

  "Yesterday was the 37th day of mourning for the Crown Prince and the Sixth Princess, so many people went to the Lingyun Temple to offer incense. As a result, there were also more accidents, with around fifty or sixty people injured."

  Lin Zhaoyan felt an indescribable complexity in her heart.

  "Miss, what's wrong?" Manhua asked with concern as she saw her looking unwell.

  "It's nothing." Lin Zhaoyan waved his hand, "I'm tired, you go out first, I'll rest for a while and be fine."

  Although Manhua was still worried, she knew that Lin Zhao wasn't a reckless child and had her own set of rules for doing things, so she didn't ask any more questions and retreated with a bow.

  The room suddenly fell silent, and Lin Zhaoyan's gaze fell on the half-open window, just in time to see the red plum blossom in the courtyard, proudly blooming in the cold wind.

  She recalled what Jingyi Shitai had once said to her: If one does not take care of oneself, heaven and earth will be destroyed.

  Yes, she didn't have any extravagant hopes, just wanting a peaceful life in this world, and a quiet goodness of years.

  She didn't want anything to disturb her existing peace, so even if she had the ability of foresight, she kept her mouth shut.

  But all previous prophecies were minor matters, except for the deaths of the Crown Prince and Sixth Princess, there has never been a situation where so many people died!

  I did not kill Bo Ren, but Bo Ren died because of me.

  Lin Zhaoyan finally felt the meaning of this sentence, her heart was stuffy and heavy, and she suddenly felt that God had played a huge joke on her, making her bear such a heavy responsibility!

  She closed her eyes, finally sighed, then stood up and walked to the desk, spread out rice paper, and quietly started painting.

  This generation cannot help but let her love spread wildly.

  Thanks for the peaceful amulet from Winter Night Rain's stroll!

  Thank you for the fragrant sachet from Qiu Lian!

  Thank you for the perfect rating vote from Sugar Vinegar Lotus Bag Egg!

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