Misfortune turns into blessing

  Lin Jing made an effort to calm down and looked at the pale yellow smiling face in front of him, asking softly: "Is it all right now?"

  "Mei was already fine. Thanks to the mistress's kindness, she gave me a few extra days off to take care of myself. Now that I'm back, she said I suffered and promoted me to third rank. The mistress is really a good person. Now my monthly allowance is more than my father's, our family life is much better."

  Lin Jing listened and felt like swallowing a fly, it was nauseating, but it really could buy people's hearts.

  "I didn't expect Bi Cao to suddenly lower her voice and whisper, 'Jing Ge, do you know that the other day, the dessert was actually poisoned by Bai Niang. I heard that there is solid evidence, and Madam punished Bai Niang with house arrest. But Bai Niang refused to admit it, arguing that she was wronged, and even quarreled with Master about it. Master got angry and said that Bai Niang had a wicked heart and wouldn't listen to discipline, so he wanted to write a divorce letter and kick her out. Bai Niang cried as if her life depended on it, but in the end, Madam relented and begged for mercy, saying that she was thinking of Bai Niang's brother and their past relationship, so she would spare Bai Niang this time. Master only allowed it because he let her go to the Jing Ci Temple outside the city to reflect on her mistakes, and when she realized her wrongdoings, someone would be sent to bring her back. Alas, I think Madam is too magnanimous."

  Bai Yiniang's identity, Lin Jing had also heard a thing or two about it before. Bai Yiniang was not a concubine who had been promoted from being a maid, nor was she bought from outside. Her proper identity was that of a legitimate concubine who had been betrothed, and her family background was quite good too, so in front of the master and mistress, she also had a seat. Her natal family, the Bai family, were well-known gentry in Yangzhou, and she was a younger daughter of the family. Generally speaking, this kind of younger daughter would be betrothed to a small but solid household as a legitimate wife. But that year, Lin Hai had just arrived in Yangzhou to take up his post when he betrothed himself to this concubine.

  Lin Jing also somewhat understood that there was something fishy going on here, and he wanted to understand why Bai Niang was acting like this. However, at present, Lin Hai had already established himself in Yangzhou, and Bai Niang had also moved on with her life.

  Jia Min's attitude was indeed "generous".

  Looking at the green grass that was sold by others and still counting money for them, Lin Jing's heart felt suffocated, and he had no mind to do anything else.

  Lin Jing just wanted some peace and quiet now, but someone came looking for him. As they spoke, a person outside said that the lady was looking for Brother Jing to talk.

  Lin Jingxin's heart sank, after waiting for so many days, it finally came. Only, he didn't know what was waiting for him after taking in Bai Niang.

  Following Feng Po-po, Lin Jing once again arrived at Jia Min's house. This time, Jia Min was already sitting upright in the outer room, looking at Lin Jing following Feng Po-po into the room with that same unflappable expression, but her face seemed to relax a bit.

  Then, Jia Min smiled and stretched out her hand to Lin Jing, saying: "Good child, it can be seen that you are a lucky one. Come here, let me take a good look at you."

  The hairs on Lin Jing's body all stood up like sentinels. What was going on here?

  Lin Jing's timidity this time was not pretended, but the situation did not allow her to think much, and she was pushed by Mrs. Feng in front of Jia Min. Jia Min held Lin Jing with one hand and stroked Lin Jing's face with the other, "Alas, you are really carved out of the same mold as your mother."

  Jia Min's tone was gentle, but what touched Lin Jing the most was still that pair of hands rubbing against his own, those hands were cool to the touch, and although it was a scorching hot day, they still felt chilling.

  Lin Jing just hung his head low, listening to Jia Min's words, "Your mother did something wrong, committed a great mistake. However, I thought she would serve me for the time being and spare her life. Unexpectedly, she still left."

  Mrs. Feng chimed in from the side, "Madam is truly kind-hearted, if it weren't for your kindness, there wouldn't be a Lin Jing anymore. I'll thank you on behalf of Lin Jing for your benevolence." As she spoke, she nudged Lin Jing forward.

  Lin Jing understood that on that day, Bai Niang had mentioned Lin Jing's biological mother, so now Jia Min also mentioned it.

  These words, even if Lin Jing doesn't understand them now, it's okay, as long as she remembers that she, Lin Jing, and her mother are all thanks to Jia Min's kindness, they have such a good outcome. Lin Jing spoke in a low voice, saying: "Thank you, madam, for your kindness."

  Jia Min smiled, "This child is still sensible." After saying that, she pulled Lin Jing to take a closer look for a while before continuing, "Originally, your body was weak and I was afraid you couldn't withstand it, so I didn't have the heart to restrain you. Now, hearing from your wet nurse that you've already recovered greatly, I think that as you grow older day by day, you should also learn some etiquette and rules. You can't always be like this. Although my heart aches for your weakness, if I continue to overprotect you like this, it would be spoiling you. What do you say, is that alright?"

  "Everything, everything, all depends on the lady's decision." Lin Jingwan didn't expect that Jia Min was going to send someone to teach her the rules of this world, why was she being so kind?

  "That's settled then. Besides, I've also arranged for a tutor to teach you, it's time for you to start studying." Lin Jing was shocked and used all his might to suppress it, barely managing not to show his surprise.

  "I was worried you couldn't take it, thinking of waiting till you're a bit older. Who knew, sigh."

  The old lady Feng immediately picked up the conversation: "Madam, you really have a kind heart, but those with black hearts are experts at stirring up trouble."

  Lin Jing appeared to be still confused on the surface, completely unable to understand what Jia Min and Feng Pozi were saying, but in her heart she had already understood.

  I didn't expect that Jia Min would be so good at saving face. After White Niang said those words, Jia Min was able to swallow her pride and sent someone to instruct Lin Jing, even saying those watertight words. No wonder everyone says that when it comes to wives, there's no one who doesn't praise them. Even Lin Hai would probably be moved by such a wife, how could he not love her?

  Lin Jing racked her brains, trying to recall how Jia Min was described in that book, but no matter how hard she tried, she just couldn't remember. But what did it matter? Now, she could be considered to have benefited from the misfortune! Even if she knew, Jia Min wouldn't bother to find a good husband for her, probably some strict and pedantic old scholar who was ignorant and only knew how to wield a ruler. At least now she could study openly and aboveboard. Ah, of course, she still had to pretend to be a bit foolish.

  Jia Min looked at Lin Jing with a foolish expression, without any excitement on her face, as if she didn't understand what she was saying, and lost interest. After thinking for a moment, she thought that if this thing knew how to be happy, she would really have to worry again. It's better to be foolish like this. So, she picked up her spirits and reminded him a few words, "Studying naturally requires hard work, but you also need to take care of your body. Don't overwork yourself, if you do, not only I will be worried, even Old Master will be heartbroken, that would be unfilial."

  At this moment, Lin Jing actually made a somewhat moved expression, his eyes were a little tearful, but he was still afraid to speak.

  Jia Min then let Lin Jing go back. Just at this moment, Feng Po began to instruct Lin Jing on the rules of etiquette, and had Lin Jing kneel down to thank Madam Wang for her kindness.

  Lin Jing had no choice but to kneel down. Everything has a price to pay, doesn't it?

  The whole thing ended up being unexpectedly sensational and then unexpectedly settled. However, Lin Jing not only gained benefits but also deeply felt what it means to be at the mercy of others, what it means to be manipulated by others, and what it means for one's life and death to be in someone else's hands, which further solidified his determination. As for that little girl Bi Cao, he couldn't help but feel a bit of sympathy for her.

  Although Lin Jing has started reading, she cannot show her intelligence, so while she feels spiritual joy, she also feels physical pain. Jia Min invited a old man over fifty years old to teach Lin Jing, who was a scholar and had a reputation for being strict in his studies. For an illegitimate child like Lin Jing, it would be enough to invite a young scholar, but now Madame Lin has invited a renowned Confucian scholar known for his strictness and integrity, Jia Min's move is truly praiseworthy when it gets out.

  Ke Lin Jing, however, saw that this old husband, although strict and upright, was a bit dull and severe in his ways. He had always believed in wielding the ruler to maintain discipline, but those few words of praise seemed to imply that he wanted to reward Mrs. Lin for her wisdom and talent by teaching a good disciple, and he was being even stricter with Lin Jing.

  Who would have thought that Lin Jing really couldn't behave a little better, often disappointing Master greatly, and the more disappointed Master was, the stricter he demanded, but Lin Jing still couldn't improve, so his two hands took turns swelling into small steamed buns.

  So, in the eyes of Feng Po-po and others, Master is strict, Jing Ge-er is stupid, so Jing Ge-er got beaten, got a beating, became afraid, and if he originally had some cleverness, it was also scared away, then acted even more stupidly, and then was severely beaten by Master. Feng Po-po and others didn't know the term "vicious cycle", otherwise they would have slapped their thighs and said, that's exactly what it means.

  Soon, Jing Ge's foolish reputation spread out, Jia Min was also worried about this matter, Lin Ruhai wanted to coax his wife to be happy and moved by his wife's greatness, and disliked the illegitimate child.

  Jia Min's goal was achieved, so she felt relieved and from time to time gave good things to Lin Jing.

  Jing Ge'er's goal was also achieved, she can now openly read and write, can openly work hard, and successfully let Jia Min put down her guard against Lin Jing in this aspect.

  Thus, this matter, at the cost of Jing Ge's hands and reputation, reached a kind of unheard-of win-win situation.

  Lin Jing was under the lamp, using her swollen right hand to hold a pen and struggling to write the ten big characters that were copied today by Husband. Just because of the pain in her hand, the words were written crookedly. On one corner of the desk, there was a large pile of writing papers, all of which were brought by Auntie after hearing Husband say that Jing Geer's handwriting was not good, hoping that she could practice and produce something excellent.

  Lin Jing finished writing a sheet, looked at the stack of paper, and chuckled to herself. She used her left hand to flip over the paper, and that left hand was also bruised and swollen. Accidentally bumping it against the corner of the table made her gasp in pain. Ah, mother, it really is painful yet delightful!

  Time didn't stay because of this strange balance. Before he knew it, summer had passed and autumn was deepening. On this day, Lin Jing got up early to pay his respects to his wife, but encountered a strange thing outside the main house.

  (Hehe, thanks bobo9676 for writing such a great review of Good Tea! I'm also pumped up and will work hard!)