Lin Yian wanted to dismiss everything he had seen today as a dream, but the events that had truly occurred were more real than gold, impossible to erase with a single night’s sleep.
When he fully woke, he realized Su Mei was still beside him. She no longer had her arms around his neck, but instead, her hands were looped around his arms as she curled up in a small ball, pressed against him in the carriage. When she noticed him awake, a joyful smile spread across her face, and she gently rubbed her cheek against his arm.
This dependence and closeness made Lin Yian’s temples throb. His eyes swept the surroundings and found that they had somehow been moved into the flower hall of the back residence where a gathering was taking place. Others were present.
Princess Jiaxi, Li, Lin Henglǐ, unfamiliar maids and guards, and a doctor crouched low all stared at him as if presiding over a court. The room was unnervingly silent.
His gaze swept over everyone before returning to the small girl at his side. She had closed her eyes without him noticing, resting peacefully against him.
Lin Yian could not define what he felt. He was naturally reserved, trained from a young age to remain composed in unbearable situations. He moved quietly to shift slightly to the side, trying not to be too close to her.
The silence in the hall felt like a ship adrift with no mooring. Lin Yian lowered his eyes, blending into the stillness around him.
The girl’s cry of “husband” earlier was not trivial. She had already alerted his mother, and everyone must understand what had happened.
In such circumstances, it was best for him to stay silent. He was not a woman, yet he understood how a reputation could be as vital as life for one. He did not question why Su Mei had acted this way and had no desire to investigate. His role here was simply to remain quiet.
He forced his thoughts into calm order, ignoring the faint pain in his chest, settling himself as though he were a meditating monk, unmoving.
Suddenly, a tiny snore reached his ears, like a kitten’s little sound when teased.
The unexpected noise tugged at his heart. A glance to his side revealed that the small girl curled around his arm had fallen asleep. Her face, tilted up, was completely unguarded, and the soft snore came from her slightly puckered lips.
Lin Yian froze, feeling something strange in his heart. No one had ever relied on him in this way, let alone a girl sleeping so comfortably beside him.
Li finally could not hold back, speaking in a voice tinged with sarcasm.
“Have you fully woken, young uncle?”
Lin Yian composed himself, lowering his gaze from the girl’s peaceful face, and replied softly, “Sister-in-law, what is your instruction?”
Instruction?
Li was immediately furious. He had woken up, yet he did not push aside the girl beside him and instead asked for instructions. Clearly, he had no regard for her at all. She opened her mouth to scold him, but Princess Jiaxi’s cold voice intervened first.
“Hui Xin, explain what has happened to him.” She gestured to her grandson and daughter-in-law. “Come with me.”
Li followed reluctantly, and Lin Henglǐ remained silent with a dark expression, shooting Lin Yian a sharp glare before leaving.
He had always looked down on his uncle from the start, and today, Su Mei had humiliated him openly, which only made his resentment toward Lin Yian grow.
The side room contained a red-lacquered table carved with cordyceps patterns, with a vase of peach blossoms atop it. The floral fragrance filled the room. The servants, seeing the family enter, closed the door silently.
Princess Jiaxi sat in the chair, the mother and son standing before her, bathed in sunlight, appearing weak and subdued.
“What are these expressions for?” She slammed her hand on the armrest.
The sound startled them, and they looked up at the stern woman.
“The matter has happened, so solve it. This engagement will not be broken.”
Princess Jiaxi’s words struck them hard.
Li argued, “Mother, everyone heard her call Lin Yian husband. How can Henglǐ still marry her?”
“Nonsense! Endure humiliation and you shall rise. Henglǐ’s problem today is entirely his own fault. The doctor said her mind was unsettled because of a head injury.” Princess Jiaxi’s voice grew softer as she sighed, “Henglǐ, do you realize how much effort I put into securing this engagement? Do you understand its significance, and who caused Su Mei to be like this?”
Though angry at Su Mei, Lin Henglǐ remained silent, lost in thought.
Seeing his calm, Princess Jiaxi felt slight relief.
“If the engagement is broken now, it will not be the marriage that suffers, but enmity. Henglǐ acted foolishly, and now Su Mei has been injured. The most wronged in this situation is you.”
She decisively raised her hands.
“Endure the grievance fully. The engagement will not be broken. Marry her as originally planned in two years. The Zhongyi Marquisate will have no complaints, and your involvement with Su Qin can be overlooked.”
Li could not accept it, her legs trembling.
Princess Jiaxi ignored her. She knew her grandson had been taught well and could handle responsibility, bending when necessary.
“Very well. Let us leave. There are still Su family members to deal with outside.” She smiled faintly, satisfied with her grandson’s understanding.
Lin Henglǐ assisted her, then returned to the hall.
Lin Yian had already been informed by Hui Ma about Su Mei’s behavior while he was unconscious. No one could approach her, not even her loyal Zikui, without provoking her into screaming. Only the doctor’s repeated warnings about avoiding further stimulation allowed her to be moved to the hall.
Su Mei had mistaken Lin Yian for her husband after hitting her head.
Lin Yian stared at the sleeping girl, wondering why she had chosen him. This event had unexpectedly put him at odds with both his mother and the main branch of the family. He sighed, pressing his hand to his throbbing temple.
Hui Ma had lightly described Lin Henglǐ pushing Su Mei, framing it as a misunderstanding. Zikui was too angry to argue and now, seeing Princess Jiaxi and the others, had no choice but to comply.
“Today’s matter, I will report truthfully to our Marquis,” she said, ready to leave with Su Mei.
“Wait,” Princess Jiaxi stopped her with a half-smile. “Zikui, do you think taking your mistress away like this will benefit her condition? If you act rashly, you could harm her. You were there. What if something happens? Who will explain it to your Marquis?”
Zikui’s face darkened. Princess Jiaxi continued, asking the doctor, “If the patient is stimulated again, what will happen?”
Doctor Xue wiped his sweat and said, “If she is overstimulated, she may never recover fully.”
Zikui turned to the sleeping girl, her defenses weakening.
Princess Jiaxi gestured to Hui Ma, who smiled and whispered to Zikui to remain calm.
“The Lin family also has some faults today. Henglǐ has promised to marry Third Miss regardless of her condition. Right now, her health is the priority. She will stay here, safe and properly cared for. I will personally send a report to the Marquis, and you may accompany it. No lies will be told.”
Zikui was overwhelmed but understood. The princess’s words addressed her worries: the girl’s health and reputation. Pressured from all sides, she finally broke down in tears.
Lin Yian, though unaware of the full plan, realized the situation was under control. He felt sympathy for Zikui.
The girl stirred awake at the sound of crying. She rubbed her eyes, looked around, then smiled at Lin Yian and wrapped her arms around his neck.
“Husband!”
Lin Yian froze, aware of the murderous glances, especially from Lin Henglǐ. He smiled weakly, trying to gently push her away.
Su Mei did not resist. Mistaking her benefactor for her husband, she leaned back into him, playfully teasing, “Husband, hug me too. Didn’t you say you liked Mei Mei the most?”
Lin Yian closed his eyes, realizing in his nephew’s mind, he might as well be dead.