Madam Wang went to the stable area and immediately recognized Feng Shu.
Why was the daughter of the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review here as well?
Madam Wang often attended gatherings among the noble ladies in the capital, so she recognized Feng Shu.
Feng Shu carried the refined aura of a proper young lady from a prestigious family. Her maternal sister-in-law had already taken a liking to her early on and hoped to take her as a daughter-in-law.
Madam Wang glanced at the four maidservants behind her, each holding sticks with aggressive expressions. If Miss Feng and Miss Zhang saw this, it would be difficult to explain.
She quickly lowered her voice and instructed Mother Sun, “Quick, have them put the sticks away.”
“Yes, Madam.”
Thinking of the Feng and Zhang families’ backgrounds, Madam Wang felt a pang of regret. Lin Baozhu was about the same age as Miss Zhang and Miss Feng—if they could have formed good relationships, it would have benefited her husband’s career advancement.
Yet on their very first meeting, they had already become enemies. Sigh—truly unmanageable.
“You rude thing.”
After saying that, Madam Wang raised her hand and slapped Lin Baozhu across the face. It was only a light, performative slap for show, meant for Zhang Hanyan to see, without much force behind it.
Lin Baozhu looked at her in disbelief, covering her face as she cried, “Mother, you actually hit me! You hit me for outsiders!”
Madam Wang was deeply frustrated. How could this girl be so thoughtless? All she needed to do was soften her attitude, yet she insisted on making a scene.
Helpless, she secretly pinched Lin Baozhu and warned her, “Hurry up and greet Miss Zhang and Miss Feng properly, or get out of this family right now.”
Lin Baozhu stomped her foot, unwilling but afraid to defy Madam Wang.
Zhang Hanyan quickly waved her hands. “No, no, don’t greet me. I don’t want anything to do with someone like her.”
Lin Baozhu finally realized she had mistaken the situation—the other girl was Lin Qianqian.
Reluctantly, she greeted Zhang Hanyan and Feng Shu.
Her maternal grandfather was the current Prime Minister. The fathers of these two girls were both of lower rank than a Prime Minister—nothing impressive.
Compared to Zhang Hanyan and Feng Shu, Lin Baozhu hated Lin Qianqian even more, and even at this moment, she still found the energy to provoke her.
“People raised in the countryside really don’t understand etiquette. They don’t even know to kneel and greet their legitimate mistress.”
Lin Qianqian smiled. “Since you’re so fond of talking about kneeling, I’ll grant your wish.”
Hongdou: Miss is smiling so wickedly… someone’s definitely going to suffer again.
Lin Qianqian casually kicked a small stone on the ground. The stone struck Lin Baozhu’s knee precisely.
Lin Baozhu cried out in pain and dropped to her knees with a thud.
Hongdou said, “Oh my, this illegitimate daughter is quite sensible—she immediately knelt to greet her legitimate elder sister.”
Madam Wang was furious. The words “illegitimate daughter” were her forbidden topic—just hearing them made her want to explode.
But she forced herself to endure it.
Zhang Hanyan said, “Miss Lin, don’t be afraid. If anyone bullies you, tell me—I’ll have my mother back you up.”
Zhang Hanyan’s mother was the Princess of Jishan. She had been raised close to the Empress Dowager, almost like a granddaughter, and thus held considerable influence among the capital’s noble ladies.
Madam Wang suppressed her anger and said gently, “Qianqian is also my daughter. I would naturally not let her suffer.”
Lin Baozhu got up from the ground and retorted foolishly, “Mother, what are you afraid of? Yesterday you said killing Lin Qianqian would be as easy as crushing an ant. Today you’re already afraid of her?”
Madam Wang secretly pinched her arm. “Idiot. Shut up.”
Because Miss Feng and Miss Zhang were present, she could not act rashly. Once they returned to the mansion with no outsiders around, she would certainly help Baozhu vent her anger.
Zhang Hanyan was disgusted by Madam Wang’s hypocritical act and threatened again, “My mother often brings me into the palace. If you, this vicious woman, dare use underhanded schemes in the inner household against Miss Lin, I will tell the Empress Dowager.”
“Miss Zhang, rest assured. I am also a woman of status. I would never use such dirty methods.”
After the commotion, Madam Wang’s head throbbed. She returned to her room and immediately sent Mother Sun to call a physician.
Xingguo Duke’s Residence — Study
Chen Wu reported, “Duke, every time the young master’s condition improves, it just happens that he encounters a young lady. We have investigated—she is the daughter of the Lin family.”
The Duke said, “What a coincidence.”
The Duchess added, “She’s from the Lin family? That truly is a coincidence—we already have a marriage arrangement with them.”
After thinking, she continued, “So many coincidences… ever since our Xuan’er met that girl, his condition has improved significantly. If we bring her into the household as a bride to ‘ward off misfortune,’ perhaps Xuan’er will fully recover.”
In her joy, the Duchess ordered a cart of gifts sent to the Lin residence.
Lin Residence
Madam Wang had just finished seeing the physician, but her headache still hadn’t eased.
Poor Mother Sun stood behind her, massaging her shoulders continuously for an hour without being allowed to stop.
Suddenly, a servant reported, “Madam, the Xingguo Duke’s residence has sent a cart of gifts.”
“Bring them in immediately.”
Madam Wang’s headache instantly disappeared. She stood up from her embroidered stool with a smile.
“Gifts from the Xingguo Duke’s residence must be of excellent quality.”
Mother Sun was finally freed—her legs were numb and she had to lean against the wall to keep from collapsing.
Soon, the room was filled with boxes of gifts.
Lin Baozhu opened them one by one, her eyes lighting up.
“As expected of a duke’s household—these gifts are beautiful. Mother, I want this red coral bonsai. It’s mine now.”
Madam Wang picked up a purple jade necklace and placed it around Lin Baozhu’s neck. “Beautiful, truly beautiful. Baozhu, don’t stay angry with Mother. The slap today was for your own good.”
“Mm, I know. I don’t blame you, Mother. It’s all Lin Qianqian’s fault.”
With the valuable gifts from the duke’s household, the mother and daughter were fully comforted.
They happily discussed where each item should be placed.
Suddenly, Lin Baozhu remembered her marriage arrangement with the Champion Marquis.
“Mother, I like the gifts from the duke’s residence, but I will not marry that idiot. Not a chance.”
The marriage had been strongly arranged by Madam Wang’s father. At the time, the Champion Marquis was at the height of his glory, making it an excellent match. But later, he was injured and became mentally impaired.
Madam Wang reassured her daughter, “Don’t worry. Do you think I brought that countryside girl back for no reason? She is meant to take your place and marry that fool.”
Lin Baozhu laughed. “Perfect match—rural girl and idiot husband!”
The mother and daughter were in high spirits.
Meanwhile, at the stable area, Lin Qianqian had her own trouble.
Hongdou relayed A-Da’s message: “Miss, A-Da has already spent money to purchase the Jiang estate, but the paperwork is troublesome. The officials know we have no backing, so they’ve delayed approval for many days.”
Lin Qianqian nodded. “I’ll go personally tomorrow.”
The next day, Lin Qianqian had not gone far from the Lin residence when she encountered the Champion Marquis, Si Xuan.
As soon as he approached, he shoved a paper-wrapped bundle into her hands. “Eat.”
Lin Qianqian opened it—it was fresh lychees.
This was not something ordinary people could afford. Transporting them from the south to the capital required killing several horses along the way.
Si Xuan’s attendant Zhao Xiaoliu said, “These were sent by the Empress Dowager to the Xingguo Duke’s residence. My master grabbed them the moment he received them and immediately came looking for Miss Lin.”