The father and son of the Su family were stationed at the border and were not allowed to return to the capital without imperial orders. According to the law, Su Lin’s presence was a serious offense.
Lin Yian stared at the young man with an angry expression, and it was impossible for him not to feel surprised.
However, that surprise lasted only a moment before disappearing completely, replaced by happiness for Su Mei.
He had originally thought that the father and son of the Loyal and Righteous Marquis would forgive Lin Henglǐ. Yet Su Lin had returned. If they truly intended to forgive past offenses, there would have been no need to risk their lives. The Loyal and Righteous Marquis clearly cared deeply for his daughter.
“Cousin! How did you return to the capital?” Wu Zisen finally recovered from his shock upon seeing Su Lin, and he shrank his head as he spoke.
The young man who had once charged into the Lin residence with a sword now looked extremely cowardly, like a mouse confronted by a cat.
Su Lin still rested his hand on the sword hilt and said coldly to his cousin, “You were sold out but still counting others’ money. We will settle this later. For now, leave.”
Being sent away did not bother Wu Zisen in the slightest. He actually felt relieved and tried to run.
He had taken only one step when he was called back, hearing his cousin say, “Take my little sister out as well.”
Wu Zisen let out an “Oh,” stepped back two paces, and reached for Su Mei’s sleeve.
But Su Mei did not recognize anyone and was curious about the person giving orders. She looked the man up and down, pulled her sleeve back from Wu Zisen’s hand, raised her chin, and said, “Why should I go? What are you planning to do to my husband?”
Su Lin’s breath faltered slightly as he looked at her, his eyes filled with undeniable sadness.
How could he not feel sad? Not long ago, when Su Mei came of age, he had specially returned to host a lively coming-of-age ceremony for her. She had clung to his sleeve and acted coquettishly, and the siblings had been very close.
Yet in just over a month, his sister no longer recognized him.
Even though Su Lin had mentally prepared for this, humans are not trees. It was still painful to be treated as a stranger by his own sister.
It was not the first time she had only recognized Lin Yian. When he had sent letters back to the capital, he had disguised himself and entered the city, sneaking into the Duke of Wei’s residence multiple times to observe her from the shadows, hoping to understand her condition. What he saw were scenes of her clinging to Lin Yian, and he knew clearly what Wu Zisen and Lin Yian had been up to.
After a moment of silence, he swallowed the bitterness in his mouth and said softly, “Little sister, it does not matter if you do not recognize your brother. You just need to know that I am your true brother, born of the same mother. Your brother would never harm you.”
“Since you are my true brother, there is nothing to avoid. Sit down. Whatever you want to say to my husband, just say it,” she said quickly, her attitude changing entirely as she realized he was her real brother, and her face lit up with a radiant smile.
Lin Yian looked at her silently and saw the cunning light in her smiling eyes.
The little fox was back to being mischievous.
Yet this trick might work on Wu Zisen, but it would not work on Su Lin, who had experienced life and death from a young age.
Sure enough, Su Lin did not fall for her charm. He spoke softly, “Little sister, be good. I have private matters to discuss with him. It is not appropriate for you to be present.”
Even with the gentlest tone, there was no room for her to refuse.
Wu Zisen, who had always been intimidated by this cousin, worried that Su Mei might be blamed, and tugged her sleeve, “Little sister, come out quickly. This is the Lin residence. Nothing will happen to Lin San, just come.”
He winked at her as he spoke, but Su Mei gave him a sharp glance. Was he having a fit?
Suddenly, she crouched to the ground, clutching her chest and retching.
The discomfort came without warning, and both Wu Zisen and Su Lin’s hearts clenched. They knelt beside her to see tears welling in her eyes. “What is it? Are you feeling unwell?”
Lin Yian, lying on the bed, closed his eyes, wondering if he might soon die at Su Lin’s hands.
Su Mei shyly murmured, “It must be the child acting up.”
Even knowing what she intended, Lin Yian’s brows twitched. Su Lin froze, his eyes twitching as if in pain.
“Cover her mouth and carry her out!” Su Lin could no longer tolerate it.
He had never heard that a child acting up could cause morning sickness. That made no sense at all.
Seeing her tactic fail, Su Mei was stunned.
Wasn’t he her real brother? How could he be so ruthless?
Wu Zisen reluctantly covered her mouth and whispered, “Madam, stop this. If you keep it up, Lin San might be in trouble even if nothing happens. My cousin is serious.”
Tears streamed down Su Mei’s face, and Wu Zisen quickly withdrew his hand, scratching his head in panic, “Little sister, do not cry. Cousin, look at this.”
Su Mei spoke between sobs, “Brother, if anyone is to be scolded, it should be me. I was the one who forced him to elope, not the other way around. Why are you angry at him?” She stepped in front of Lin Yian and spread her arms, “At worst, I will be his ghostly lover!”
Lin Yian had earlier thought he might die. Now he felt he might be torn to pieces.
Su Mei’s words were unintentional, but the listener had intent. This was her real brother, not Wu Zisen, who could be easily managed.
Her crying made Lin Yian’s head ache. He could not bear to hear her cry for him.
Without thinking, he lifted her sleeve, pulling her closer to him. He took a handkerchief from his sleeve and gently wiped her tears.
“Do not cry. Nothing has happened as you imagine. Your brother is right. You are siblings. How could he harm you?”
His voice was gentle and convincing.
Su Mei peered at him through the handkerchief and pulled his hand, smearing it across her face, “You are coaxing me. Brother not harming me is different from being harsh with you.”
Tears fell again, as if Su Lin had already done something terrible to Lin Yian.
Lin Yian was stunned by her cleverness.
Su Lin finally understood her eccentric ways. His fists clenched audibly as he glared at Lin Yian.
He stepped closer, and Su Mei extended her arms again to block Lin Yian.
She was afraid, but she would not back down.
Su Lin raised his hand. Su Mei closed her eyes, and then felt a light touch on her nose.
“You have always been stubborn,” Su Lin sighed, finally yielding to her tears.
Su Mei opened her eyes slightly, confirming that he had no intention of hurting her, then fully opened them and looked at him.
Su Lin pulled out a handkerchief, roughly wiping her face as if washing a child.
“Enough. I will not harm him. Stop speaking nonsense. A grown girl should be ashamed of herself.”
“That is my husband. Why would I be ashamed?” Her eyes still held tears as she retorted.
Su Lin inhaled sharply, but what could he do? He had never hit her, not even when she was a troublemaker as a child.
“All right. You are right. Sit under the corridor and choose some satin. I promise he will remain unharmed, okay?” Su Lin gave up trying to reason with his half-confused sister.
Su Mei considered, glanced at Lin Yian, and then agreed, “Fine. I will sit under the corridor and pick satin. If anything happens, you shout.”
She followed Wu Zisen out, glancing back repeatedly.
Wu Zisen wiped sweat from his forehead, “Cousin’s authority is even more intimidating.”
“Why are you afraid?” Su Mei asked.
Wu Zisen shook his head, “Little sister does not know that I was almost killed by him on the battlefield.” He swallowed the rest.
Su Mei frowned, finding him pathetic, and pressed her ear to the door to listen. Inside was silent.
“Nothing should happen,” she whispered.
Inside, Lin Yian leaned against the bed, the lingering scent of her lips still clinging to him. He pressed his finger to them, remembering.
“Such a bold little girl,” he murmured. His ears burned.
Outside, Wu Zisen led Su Mei away amidst the chaos. Su Lin, dressed as a Su family guard, grunted at his sister’s lingering glances.
“Sit properly. You might hit your head. A young lady should behave.”
Su Mei looked out until the alley of the Wei Duke’s household disappeared, then sat properly and teased, “Everyone your age is already a father, yet you still need coaxing, and you dare to lecture me.”
She waved three fingers at him, “You are only this age. No more.”
Su Lin felt a flush.
Lin Yian was devious. He had his obedient sister back.