The son’s blunt accusation lingered in the Zhongyi Marquis’ mind. He remained silent, and his quiet presence made the atmosphere even heavier.
Suddenly, a gust of wind swept through, making the canopy rustle, and the candles before father and son flickered as if startled. Shadows danced, shifting between light and dark. A long sigh echoed through the room.
“If I had known that Lin’s family would be so shameless, I certainly would not have agreed back then.” The Zhongyi Marquis was not angry at his son’s disrespect, only resigned. “But at that time, if I hadn’t agreed with the Lin family, would you really have watched Mei Mei be selected for the palace?”
Su Lin was also upset. Hearing his father bring up the past made his heart ache.
He admitted, “It was my careless words, Father.”
“How could I blame you? If anyone is to blame, it is your father for dragging you siblings into this.” The Zhongyi Marquis waved his hand, leaning back in his chair, watching the canopy above sway. “These years, the emperor has been increasingly picky with the Crown Prince. Even minor closeness with ministers earns him rebuke. Someone secretly claimed the Crown Prince wanted Mei Mei as a consort. The emperor delayed appointing a Crown Princess to warn ministers against forming factions. Even the Crown Prince cannot disobey! That alone would have been enough, yet the virtuous consort, lacking sense, took the bait and requested Mei Mei be given to Prince Qing in front of the emperor.”
“Though daughters being sought after by many families is usually good, in the royal household, it brings misfortune. All princes seek daughters of ministers with military power; how would the emperor react? Our dynasty always hesitated over unions between military and civil officials. How much choice would be left for Mei Mei to select a husband? Other families were frightened off. Only the Wei Duke’s household, under Princess Jiaxi’s protection, remained.”
Su Lin knew well what his father was saying.
Regarding the emperor, it was impossible to guess his inclinations.
The legitimate son needed guarding, the concubine-born eldest son, Prince Qing, treated like a thief, and the Prince of Yu, born to Concubine Ye, doted upon like a treasure.
Perhaps because the Ye family had declined, Princess Jiaxi had helped the emperor secure the throne, and the Wei Duke’s household had handed over authority early, the emperor trusted Princess Jiaxi and, by extension, favored the Prince of Yu.
By status and family background, the Wei Duke’s household was naturally suitable. Princess Jiaxi repeatedly came to request a marriage. Lin Henglǐ at the time behaved properly. Not engaging with the Wei Duke’s household, could they truly send their sister into the palace to serve the emperor and offset his unfounded suspicion?
So they had little choice.
If the sister married into the Wei Duke’s household, once the Crown Prince ascended, as long as father and son did not make mistakes and continued serving the court, she would live safely.
Even if the emperor was partial, if the Prince of Yu inherited the throne, the sister would still live without worry.
“But now the Lin family has gone too far!” Su Lin sighed, then angrily said, “They speak of honor and loyalty, yet know we cannot retract the engagement. If we did, Mei Mei would suffer even more! Should we watch her endure grievances while Lin Henglǐ commits outrageous acts and stop there? What about Du Shi and Su Qin? Father, what are you planning to do about them?”
The Zhongyi Marquis fell silent again. After a long moment, he said to his son’s angry gaze, “Do you know what would prevent Mei Mei from feeling wronged? As you said, we are trapped. Whatever we do is difficult. As for Du Shi… she once saved my life, but if she meddled in Mei Mei’s affairs, I am not so bound by gratitude that I only consider past kindness.”
“Father has spoken at length, yet still makes no decision regarding the Lin family!” Compared to Du Shi, Su Lin was naturally more dissatisfied with the Lin family.
The young lord, just coming of age, furrowed his brows, his sun-tanned face from the frontier darkening.
Facing his son’s pressure, the Zhongyi Marquis smiled and beckoned, “Temper, come sit. I will teach you a strategy to win against all odds.”
At this point, news arrived that the capital had been discussing Su Mei’s apparent madness for days.
Wu Zisen sent people out daily to gather intelligence, each time angry enough to curse. Lin Yian, however, ignored outside matters, focusing solely on helping Su Mei memorize things.
He was patient, and Su Mei never slacked. She could now, upon hearing a name, recall connections.
Lin Henglǐ, confident in his schemes, also persisted. Each day he sent things to Su Mei, be it food, trinkets, or valuable items. Occasionally, he went in person, eating minor defeats, restraining his temper, speaking pleasantly, which oddly unsettled Su Mei.
That day, he sent a pair of Nan Zhu earrings.
Nan Zhu was famously precious, usually reserved for tribute and rarely seen elsewhere.
Su Mei stared at the smooth, lustrous beads. Giving a girl jewelry, an intimate item, carried significant meaning. She asked Lin Yian in front of the messenger, “Can you bear this?”
Lin Yian, fanning himself, remained silent, calm as ever.
She gritted her teeth and said to the messenger, “Since this is my nephew’s intention, we will keep it.”
She signaled Zikui to accept it, then deliberately stepped on Lin Yian’s foot as she passed.
A tiny footprint appeared on his clean shoe. He looked down, smiling at the mark.
No matter what, the gift was hers. He had no position or authority to intervene. Yet having angered her, he still needed to coax her.
Lin Yian had his own method for soothing the increasingly spoiled young lady.
After a quarter hour, he instructed Shitou to fetch a newly bought storybook and had himself carried to the gallery above the main building. Facing her window, he began reading aloud.
Sunlight streamed, his shadow stretching across the window.
Perhaps she was particularly angry today. If he read for fifteen minutes, she would poke her head out to listen. Yet two quarters had passed, and the story neared its end with no sign of her.
His throat dry and voice hoarse, he coughed, his shadow curling as he bent over.
The tightly closed window finally creaked open.
The young lady, hair let down, appeared at the window. Barefaced, she resembled a pear blossom against the red wall, her natural grace highlighting all color around her.
“Disturbing my nap, go away!” She leaned on the window, feigning annoyance.
Lin Yian turned his gaze, covering his mouth to cough, truly ready to call for someone to carry him away.
She panicked, tilting her head to look at him. “You’re really leaving?!”
He tilted his head like hers and looked back. “I am going to pick another storybook. This ending isn’t good.”
Su Mei froze, then laughed at his trickery. “You tricked me!”
Lin Yian could no longer restrain himself, laughing softly, gazing into her phoenix eyes with tenderness. “No, I am thick-skinned. You cannot drive me away.”
Su Mei, looking into his eyes, ungrudgingly let go of her anger. Who could resist her husband’s enchanting smile? “Then… I allow you to shamelessly come in for a cup of tea.”
Yet Lin Yian still did not sip the tea before being summoned by someone sent by Princess Jiaxi.
He calculated in his mind, noting the response from the Zhongyi Marquis.
Before leaving, he warned the already vigilant young lady, “Don’t cause mischief like last time.”
Su Mei wanted to object that she was only protecting him, but seeing his serious expression, she nodded obediently, watching him leave.
As soon as he left, she inquired with Princess Jiaxi’s household who was present. Learning Lin Henglǐ was there, she smiled, summoning Xu Langzhong.
As Lin Yian had guessed, the Zhongyi Marquis had replied. The letter confirmed the engagement between the two families, to take place in two years. There was a condition: the Wei Duke’s household must restore Su Mei’s reputation.
“My third uncle understands the Marquis’ intent. On clarifying the matter, he knows how to cooperate. If not…” Lin Henglǐ said, pride evident, the definitive reply making him feel triumphant.
But before he finished, a messenger with a food box arrived, saying it came from Su Mei.
“Third Miss says this is the Young Grandson’s return gift for the Nan Zhu earrings.”
Su Mei had not caused trouble, instead sending a gift to Lin Henglǐ. Lin Yian was slightly surprised.
Lin Henglǐ had the food box brought over, eyeing the simple sweet soup with doubt. Su Mei had never been friendly to him. Why send a gift now? A trick perhaps?
He glanced at the unsuspecting Lin Yian, a hint of mockery in his eyes.
Perhaps she wanted to protect Lin Yian and show goodwill.
Seeing Lin Yian’s discomfort was satisfying. He had the soup tested with a silver needle, then drank it all in front of Lin Yian.
“Tell Third Miss thank you for the sweet soup,” he said, handing the bowl back to the maid.
Lin Yian had been silent since reading the letter. Amid his nephew’s provocation, he finally raised his head, eyes flickering slightly.
Lin Henglǐ met his gaze, relieved, and continued, “Earlier I mentioned…” Just then, his stomach gurgled violently, as if twisted.
The pain came without warning.
Lin Yian slowly blinked, realizing something. Lin Henglǐ sprang from his chair, cold sweat pouring, face pale.
Princess Jiaxi noticed and was about to ask, but he bolted.
The hall fell silent, while screams came from the gallery as maids scattered. Princess Jiaxi hurriedly sent Hui Momo to see what happened.
In moments, Hui Momo returned, face grim, reporting quietly, “The Young Grandson… soiled his pants in the corridor. The maids tried to clean him, but he is not well.”
Princess Jiaxi frowned, leaving Lin Yian to rush to her grandson.
Su Mei, always clever, warmed Lin Yian’s heart by her protection. Yet seeing the Marquis’ reply in his hands, he could not feel joy.
The Zhongyi Marquis’ decision truly forgave the past. Though it aligned with his expectations and safeguarded her future, if she knew, she would still feel sad.
Lin Yian’s heart was vexed. Thinking of the Nan Zhu earrings Lin Henglǐ had sent that day, his mood sank further.
That day, Liu Si, who had not contacted Lin Yian for some time, received a letter.
“Nan Zhu? Where would the young master get Nan Zhu, let alone string it into a necklace?” Liu Si widened his eyes, thinking the lame man increasingly unreasonable.