After Sima Xuan left the Lin residence, Wang Yanyan said to Lin Baozhu, “Cousin, I remember you said you didn’t want to marry Sima Xuan. Why don’t I take your place and marry him instead?”
Lin Baozhu instantly bristled. “Who said I don’t want to marry him? I only despised him when he was an idiot. Now that he’s recovered, of course I’ll fulfill the engagement.”
Old Madam Lin arrived at the gate with a cane just in time to hear the two girls talking.
“Too late. Neither of you will be marrying him. The betrothal document sent to the Marquis of Xinguo some days ago had Lin Qianqian’s name on it.”
Old Madam Lin was displeased. She had heard that the Marquis’ residence had sent many gifts again today, so she specially dressed neatly and came out to greet them—only to find that Sima Xuan hadn’t even entered the Lin residence. He had simply turned around and left.
She muttered bitterly, “So that wench born of Jiang Shi gets to pick up a good marriage.”
Supported by Maid Xiaoxing, she returned to her room.
Lin Baozhu then went to Wang Shi.
“Mother, Sima Xuan’s illness has been cured. I still want to marry him.”
Wang Shi naturally thought the same. “This marriage was hard-won by your maternal grandfather. Now that Sima Xuan is well, there’s no way we’ll let Jiang Shi’s daughter benefit. Don’t worry—today I’ll send someone to the Marquis residence to swap the betrothal documents to avoid complications. I’ll just say it was a mistake.”
Nanny Sun took Lin Baozhu’s betrothal document to the Marquis of Xinguo residence and repeated Wang Shi’s explanation.
But the Marquis’ wife’s face darkened immediately.
She had discovered that both Lin girls shared the same birthday. Ten years ago, when the Lin and Sima families arranged the engagement, the Marquis couple had been reluctant, but after consulting Abbot Wuwei at the temple, he said their fates were perfectly matched—so they agreed.
Now the Lin family was playing tricks: when the son was foolish, they sent the neglected girl; now that he had recovered, they wanted to switch to their own daughter.
Too late.
The Marquis’ wife said coldly, “Go back and tell your mistress: marriage is not child’s play. Since the Lin family already sent Lin Qianqian’s betrothal document, my son will marry Lin Qianqian.”
Nanny Sun returned to the Lin residence troubled.
Wang Shi was displeased but said, “Even if the Marquis refuses Baozhu’s document, it changes nothing. We still have the original marriage contract—it bears Baozhu’s name.”
Meanwhile, at the Ministry of Revenue, the official Song He—the same man who had once bribed Lin Qingyun—fell seriously ill.
His face was swollen like a pig’s head, his eyes reduced to slits, his entire body bloated, unable to even walk.
Despite searching all the famous doctors in the capital, nothing helped.
He lay in bed, furious and anxious, cursing his steward Zhu Dachang.
Zhu Dachang, who loved gossip, said, “My lord, I recently heard something strange. People in the capital are saying that Miss Lin is extremely fortunate. When she rescued the Marquis’ son from water, his three-year madness was cured instantly.”
“And I also heard from an old gatekeeper of the Feng residence—Lady Feng was once critically ill, already preparing funeral clothes. But after Miss Lin visited, she recovered completely and is even stronger than before.”
“Now everyone says Miss Lin is blessed with great fortune. My lord, perhaps you should try inviting her to our residence. Maybe her luck can cure your illness.”
Song He hesitated, then clung to the only hope he had left.
“Go to the Lin residence. Bring gifts. Send my finest inkstone to Minister Lin. Also bring Miss Wan Zhen along—have her befriend Miss Lin and invite her to our home. Spare no expense.”
Song Wan Zhen, his legitimate second daughter, was intelligent and skilled in managing business. She personally bought a diamond-studded gold crown from the Bright Moon Silver Pavilion, intending it as a gift for Lin Qianqian.
Under the sunlight, the gems sparkled so brightly they were almost blinding—she hoped that Miss Lin would like it.