Lin Henglǐ almost got sent off on the spot by his sharp-tongued cousin, his forced smile cracking as he left in a mix of shame and anger.
“Your nephew is quite amusing, insisting on finding trouble for himself.” Wu Zisen hiccupped, glanced at Lin Yian, and staggered after Su Mei into the courtyard.
Lin Yian had just switched from the carriage to the sedan chair. Hearing the comment, he watched his nephew’s sulking retreat with a faint shadow in his eyes, pondering something quietly.
Su Mei had already hurried to the apricot tree in the courtyard and waved at him. “Husband, come quickly.”
He instructed the attendants to carry him inside. As soon as he stepped through the gate, he saw the young lady standing beneath the apricot tree, its branches covered in deep pink buds. Her bright eyes and fair teeth outshone all the spring scenery in the courtyard.
A gentle light flickered in his eyes. As he drew closer, he teased, “Do you love apricot trees so much, or are you just after the fruit?”
“This isn’t just any apricot tree. I wouldn’t even glance at the others.” Su Mei wrinkled her nose in dissatisfaction at his words. “It grew up with you, so I love it too.”
After speaking, she lightly patted the tree trunk, as if caressing it.
The question he had suppressed earlier surged in his mind. He finally asked, “How do you know it grew up with me?”
This apricot tree was planted the day he was born at his mother’s request to his father. Her name included the character for apricot, and perhaps she knew her time was limited, hoping this tree could accompany him.
Even the servants of the Weiguo Duke’s residence had never paid it any attention. He had only learned of it when he became aware enough to understand what his father said. How did she know?
Su Mei, however, grew angry at his question, glaring at him. “Lin Yian, of course, you only know how to coax me. Once you finish coaxing, you forget everything you said! Men, when in love, treat the heart like a treasure, but turn around, and the wife becomes nothing!”
“Wh-where did that come from!” He was dumbfounded by her scolding.
He hadn’t coaxed her at all, and the idea of being in love to such an extent made his face flush. She said it so boldly, as if it were true, painting him as a heartless man.
After scolding, she sat on the ground, pouting. Grass and dust clung to her dress. Every whine was accompanied by a glance at him, as if to say: If you don’t come coax me, you’re doomed.
Lin Yian realized he really couldn’t be too serious with her. Her behavior was beyond his control, and overanalyzing would only bring himself trouble.
He sighed helplessly, letting the attendants stop the sedan chair beside her, reaching out to touch her hair. “I don’t know what’s going on in that little head of yours. Fine, I was wrong. I shouldn’t have forgotten what I said. Don’t be angry, Mei Mei. It’s bad for your health.”
Wu Zisen also ran over to smooth things over, lifting her from the grass. He shook his head, saying, “Your cousin will take care of him later.”
“You dare! I’ll knock out your teeth first!” Su Mei instantly flared up, fiercely protective with no reason.
Lin Yian couldn’t help laughing.
The courtyard he stayed in was much smaller and simpler than the guest quarters.
The gate opened into the courtyard. The main building had only three rooms. A covered corridor connected the courtyard and the main building, dividing inner and outer areas like a screen. It was a pseudo two-section courtyard.
Wu Zisen squinted in disdain for a long while. In the end, Su Mei moved into the main building. Lin Yian stayed in the west wing study, Wu Zisen took the east wing, and the Su family guards had to squeeze into the back quarters.
The once quiet courtyard suddenly became lively.
Lin Yian opened the west wing window. Outside, Zikui was directing the young maid to move boxes, while the main building’s maids and housekeepers came and went. He felt as if, if he ever married, it would be much the same.
He shook his head, smiling at the thought. He had never considered marriage seriously, but now, with the emotional stir, it made him a little reckless.
As he silently mocked himself, Su Mei dashed over from the corridor with a book. Xu Langzhong ran after her, panting, saying there was still a silver needle unaccounted for.
She ignored him, tossing the register at him. “Are you trying to anger me today? How do you expect me to remember all these names? What good will it do? Later, when sisters meet, we should get along in harmony!”
Lin Yian caught the register and explained gently. “Don’t get upset. You’ve forgotten some things after falling. These are your old acquaintances. Before you returned, didn’t you promise to work with me to block the gossip outside and show that little brat a lesson?”
She looked doubtful. “Really? How does that relate to these girls?”
“So no one can know you’ve forgotten. Think about it—if you can’t remember, all those rumors outside seem true.” He smiled helplessly, though moments ago he claimed he hadn’t coaxed her, he continued, “So, remember these people and matter again. When you entertain them, they’ll see you as you were, and the rumors won’t hold.”
Understanding, Su Mei’s eyes lit up. “Husband is impressive.”
The coaxed young lady was full of admiration, clutching the register and staying in her room, determined to study the entire afternoon.
Wu Zisen woke from a nap, feeling he had done something significant but couldn’t recall what. He knocked on Lin Yian’s door, uneasy. “Are you sure Princess Jiaxi will host the banquet as you said, to clear things up?”
Lin Yian looked him over but didn’t mention his nephew. “The heir will see.”
Meanwhile, Lin Henglǐ was being questioned by Princess Jiaxi. “Do you really think he’ll cooperate? What if he’s set on pursuing the Zhongyi Marquisate, and in public, messes with Su Mei?”
“Grandmother, don’t worry. The outside is already in turmoil. The Zhongyi Marquisate won’t let the daughter get a bad reputation. Lin Yian is just a concubine-born son; can Su Mei have a good life with him? The Marquis knows well. Once he replies, Lin Yian will give up entirely. Even if he resists, he will comply.”
Lin Henglǐ’s face darkened, tone disdainful.
With matters at this stage, Princess Jiaxi felt powerless and let her grandson act. “Do not let the Marquis know; the rumor is yours to spread.”
He sneered. “I understand. Naturally, Su Qin and her mother will take the forefront, but it has nothing to do with me. Once the news spreads, only they and Lin Yian benefit. How could the Marquis think it’s my doing?”
He looked at the sky, instructing a servant. “The Third Miss likes sweets. Make some and say I sent them.”
“Lin Henglǐ, you…” Princess Jiaxi looked surprised. His eyes flickered. “If the fool can coax her, why can’t I?”
Princess Jiaxi sighed. “Poor child, sorry for your trouble.”
That night, Su Mei did receive the pastries Lin Henglǐ had ordered, all six colors, peach blossom-shaped.
She examined them, wary. “He wouldn’t poison me, would he?”
Lin Yian was silent for a moment. “Stop eating. They aren’t anything special.”
Sure enough, his nephew had the intention to coax Su Mei today. That was the start.
Yet she bit into one, eyes curved in a smile. “So sweet.”
Lin Yian’s heart tensed. He snatched it away. “Don’t eat what he sends.”
The girl laughed, covering her mouth. “Hmm… now it’s sour. It seems to drift from my husband.” She leaned toward him to sniff.
Realizing he’d been tricked, Lin Yian coughed awkwardly. She leaned on his shoulder, resting her head while continuing to eat and laugh.
“To make my husband jealous, I’d even swallow poison!”
He blushed, gently pushing her head back. “Nonsense. Memorize the register. Get one wrong, and you’ll get your hand spanked.”
“Just a hand spank? Won’t it hurt my husband more than me?”
Lin Yian hurried to cover her mouth, fearing further nonsense.
Su Mei quietly returned to Weiguo Duke’s residence, memorizing the registers and people’s preferences diligently. Lin Yian watched, both pleased and worried, silently waiting for further developments.
Time passed. Far at the frontier, the Zhongyi Marquis finally received the first letter from his daughter. Before digesting Lin Henglǐ and his stepdaughter’s situation, other news kept arriving.
The Su family, Wu family, Weiguo Duke’s household, his camp almost became an inn.
Su Mei’s brother, the heir Su Lin, less composed than his father, slammed the table. “What is the Lin family trying to do? We just got engaged, and so many problems have erupted. What happened to my sister, and what do others say? Father should never have agreed to this marriage!”
His anger even dragged his father into the reprimand.