No one was happier than the maids and old servants in Old Madam Lin’s room.
If the old madam had died, people like them would either be sold off or face some other unknown fate.
In many wealthy households, when an elder passed away, servants would often be sold off to human traffickers. Only those especially favored by the family might be granted their freedom.
A young maid serving the old madam was so excited she ran out into the courtyard and shouted:
“The old madam can walk! The old madam can walk!”
Feng Yuan’s several younger half-brothers and their wives rushed into the room upon hearing this.
Seeing that the old madam had recovered, they all cried and laughed at once.
Partly out of filial piety, and partly out of relief—relief that their support, Feng Yuan, would not have to observe three years of mourning and step down from office.
The room instantly became lively.
Lin Qianqian instructed a maid: “Help the old madam sit down and rest first. She hasn’t eaten in many days and cannot move too much right now or she’ll become exhausted. Also prepare some food—soft and easy to chew.”
“Yes.” The maid quickly helped the old madam to a chair.
The old madam finally spoke, her voice hoarse and weak. “I… I’m a little hungry.”
Feng Shu said, “Grandmother, don’t worry. The kitchen has already been instructed to prepare food.”
The room was too crowded, so Feng Shu led Lin Qianqian back to her own room.
“Sister Lin, I truly didn’t expect your medical skills to be so extraordinary.”
“Sister Feng, please keep my medical skills a secret for now.”
Feng Shu saw that Lin Qianqian was covered in sweat and quickly took out a handkerchief to wipe her forehead.
In this dry autumn weather, it wasn’t sweat from heat—it was exhaustion from performing acupuncture.
“Don’t worry, Sister Lin. I won’t tell anyone. My father will also restrain the Feng family and ensure no one spreads it.”
Feng Shu was deeply grateful. She knew acupuncture must be extremely draining, and Lin Qianqian had just treated the Crown Prince Consort not long ago—less than half a month ago. That meant the strain on her body must be immense.
She decided she would later ask her mother to send a hundred-year-old ginseng to help her recover.
Before leaving, Lin Qianqian was forcibly pressed with 3,000 taels of silver notes by Madam Feng, along with a small brown wooden box containing the hundred-year-old ginseng.
“Girl Lin, it’s not much—just a small token of our gratitude. Please don’t mind it.”
After all, she had saved not only the old madam, but also helped Feng Shu at the Prime Minister’s banquet.
If Feng Shu had fallen into the lake that day and been rescued by Wang Qing, she would have had no choice but to marry him—or become a nun for the rest of her life.
Feng Yuan was a man of his word.
He said to Lin Qianqian, “I promised that if you cured my mother, I would grant you one condition. You may name it.”
Lin Qianqian smiled. “I’ll keep that condition for later.”
As the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, Feng Yuan handled major criminal cases.
Lin Qianqian wanted to clear her maternal grandfather’s family name, but she knew now was not the right time to force the matter.
The entire Feng family respectfully escorted her to the gate.
After she left, Madam Feng’s eyes turned slightly red.
“What a good child… and yet someone doesn’t know how to cherish her.”
She had been abandoned at birth. And according to Feng Shu, she was now living in a crumbling stable in the Lin residence.
What a sin. That Lin family was truly wicked—karma would come for them sooner or later.
Madam Feng said to Feng Yuan, “Master, that girl saved Shu’er at the Prime Minister’s banquet, and now she has saved Mother as well. Our Feng family owes her a great debt. If she ever runs into trouble, help her if you can.”
Feng Yuan thought differently.
With skills like hers, she might not need anyone’s help at all.
Yesterday, during a meal with Commander Qin of the Five City Military and Horse Administration, he had said that both his and the deputy commander’s positions had been preserved thanks to that Lin girl.
He also mentioned a new assignment had come down recently—this time involving a very difficult case: the murder of two officials, causing a major impact.
If things went well, Lin Qingping might even be promoted to full commander.
That uncle-niece relationship seemed quite close.
What a pity about her father, Lin Qingyun—so stubborn and foolish, constantly pushing away his own talented daughter.
An idiot.
The Feng family left the residence in an orderly group.
Feng Yuan reminded everyone: “No one is to spread the news that Miss Lin knows medicine.”
“Don’t worry, Elder Brother. We won’t speak of it.”
With Feng Yuan’s position the highest in the family, everyone naturally obeyed him.
Feng Yuan concluded: “Miss Lin only came today as a guest.”
The younger brothers quickly echoed: “Yes, Miss Lin only came as a guest.”
The Empress Dowager had sent another batch of premium imperial mangoes, presented in a floral basket from the south.
Almost instinctively, Si Xuan picked up the basket and walked out—then stopped after a few steps.
He frowned, irritated.
What was wrong with him? Why was his first instinct always to bring good things to Lin Qianqian?
His foolish illness must have made him even more foolish.
The Duchess of Jingguo teased, “Your father and I don’t like sweets. Take them to Miss Lin. She saved your life—you must not forget gratitude.”
She added, “The lake water was freezing, but that girl still jumped in to save you without hesitation. Son, you must have a conscience.”
At that moment, Lin Qianqian, who was reviewing renovation plans at the Jiang residence, sneezed.
Someone must be talking about her.
If she had heard the Duchess’s words about “without hesitation,” she would have felt guilty—because she had hesitated quite a bit before jumping in.
The Marquis said, “Perfect timing. I’ve prepared a cart of gifts. Go personally thank your lifesaver.”
After Si Xuan left, he frowned and said, “Even after recovering, he’s still the same cold-faced young general. Like this, how is he supposed to win a girl’s heart? He didn’t inherit a single bit of his father’s sweet-talking skills.”
Before his accident, many noble young ladies in the capital admired Si Xuan.
Now, Wang Yanyan had seen his recovered form once, and the seed of affection in her heart began to sprout again.
She went to the Lin residence.
“Cousin Baozhu, guess what? Si Xuan’s foolish illness has recovered. He’s back to being that cold, distant beauty—if anything, even more striking than before.”
“I’ve already sent people to find out where he’s going. We should go see him together.”
Before they even left the gate, they heard that Si Xuan had arrived.
Lin Baozhu hid inside the gate and peeked outside.
White robes, wide sleeves, jade crown, star-like eyes and refined features—truly a celestial appearance beyond words.
Wang Yanyan stood beside her. When she met Si Xuan’s gaze, she suddenly felt weak all over, as if struck by electricity.
Zhao Xiaoliu also arrived at the gate and stopped Si Xuan.
“Master, Miss Lin is at the Jiang residence, not here.”
Si Xuan waved his hand and ordered the convoy to turn around and send everything to the Jiang residence.
As they traveled, Si Xuan asked, “When I was foolish, did I really cling to Lin Qianqian every day?”
“Yes! More real than gold and silver! You adored Miss Lin—you even picked fish bones out for her during meals.”
Si Xuan finally found an explanation for his strange behavior.
So that was it—habit.
The foolish illness was cured, but foolish habits couldn’t be changed overnight.
Zhao Xiaoliu, ever the chatterbox, continued:
“You used to be few words and a bit silly, but you always stuck to Miss Lin. She was very patient with you—unlike others who despised you. She’s a really good person.”
“And you even beat up Wang Qing just to protect her…”