The atmosphere in the flower hall, which had briefly eased, suddenly fell silent again. Su Mei remained unaware of it, but Lin Yi’an could not allow her to continue her reckless behavior in such a state of confusion.
How does one reason with someone who is not fully conscious?
For him, this was yet another dilemma. He also feared, as the doctor had warned, that the wrong words might provoke her further. To be fair, much of what had happened today was also her unintended misfortune.
In such a situation, Lin Yi’an realized he was the one caught in a dilemma.
“Third Miss.”
He was still pondering a way to gently coax the clingy girl away. Princess Jiaxi, however, gave him no time to consider, her voice like sharpened ice and her gaze piercing.
Without her saying another word, Lin Yi’an understood the meaning behind his mother’s look. She was reminding him of his status and demanding that he immediately make his stance clear.
He lowered his head to glance at Su Mei, nestled in his arms, and could only try.
“Third Miss,” Lin Yi’an said, softening his voice as much as possible.
At his words, the girl in his arms lifted her face, her eyes brimming with visible grievance. “Why did you stop calling me Mei Mei, husband?”
He choked slightly, lifting his eyes to see the faces of his nephews, all turning green. The little girl questioning him had tears welling up, threatening to spill.
His head throbbed, and fearing her emotions might spiral out of control, he forced out a dry call, “Mei Mei.”
“Ah, husband, you said it,” she replied. Her expression transformed instantly from nearly crying to radiant, her voice sweet and clear like last winter’s fresh jujubes.
Lin Yi’an’s tense body relaxed slightly. His eyes scanned his legs, forming a plan to distract her. He raised a hand and pointed, “My leg is injured…”
Before he could finish, Su Mei had already scrambled out of his arms.
The little girl, who had clung to him so tightly, was now on the ground, flustered and muttering to herself, “Did I press on your leg? How could I forget my husband’s leg is hurt?”
Lin Yi’an was surprised by her unexpected obedience.
What he did not anticipate even more was that she, holding up her skirt, dashed over to the doctor she had earlier refused to approach. She grabbed his sleeve and pulled him toward Lin Yi’an, her voice anxious, “Aren’t you a doctor? My husband is hurt! How could you not check him?”
Her worry for him, so direct and intense, spread unknowingly through his heart.
The doctor, unable to refuse her, crouched down to examine Lin Yi’an’s leg.
Lin Yi’an, alert, caught the contact and immediately took the doctor’s hand away. “No need, doctor. The wound is bloody. It should not be exposed to others.”
The doctor looked up, meeting Lin Yi’an’s calm yet firm gaze. Though his tone was not harsh, the grip on the doctor’s slender fingers was unyielding.
“You are right, Third Master,” the doctor said, withdrawing his hand with a shiver. Lin Yi’an leaned back, his handsome features still gentle.
Su Mei glanced at the doctor and then at Lin Yi’an, nodding in agreement, “Then let’s return to the room and check.”
“That’s enough!”
Lin Henglǐ could no longer watch or hear the intimate exchange between them. His anger exploded.
Su Mei flinched, looking up anxiously. She pressed closer to Lin Yi’an, murmuring, “He looks so fierce. Why is his face swollen? Is he mad because I took the doctor and didn’t let him treat his face first?”
Everyone avoided looking at Lin Henglǐ’s handprint on his own face, but her words directly struck him. He gritted his teeth, seething yet unable to confront her openly under so many eyes.
Princess Jiaxi, calmer than her grandson, pulled him aside and whispered, “Think ahead.” She then instructed the servants, “Carry your Third Master back to his room.”
The servants obeyed, and Su Mei, though no longer climbing into the sedan chair, still clung tightly to Lin Yi’an’s arm, half-hanging by the side. She made it clear she would not leave his side.
Lin Henglǐ’s temples throbbed, his gaze darkening.
Princess Jiaxi had abandoned reasoning with the mad girl and signaled the servants to act swiftly.
Everyone, including Lin Yi’an, understood that Princess Jiaxi had other arrangements and silently complied. Zi Kui, however, was not a Lin family member. Even though she had to yield to ensure her lady’s safety, she still insisted on protecting her. Standing in the way of the servants lifting the sedan chair, she demanded, “May I ask, Your Highness, where will our lady stay?”
Could it be that they were leaving her to follow Lin Third Master?
Princess Jiaxi, impatient yet obliged, replied, “Third Miss cannot leave. Henglǐ will accompany her, and her attendants must remain close as well.”
Most of the attendants were loyal to the Zhongyi Marquisate. Princess Jiaxi dared not interfere, so it was better to be open. The information would reach Zhongyi Marquis, ensuring he felt safe leaving his daughter at the Wei Duke’s household.
Zi Kui hesitated, not moving. She understood that Third Miss did not want to leave Lin Third Master, and the Lin family dared not force it. Having Lin Henglǐ accompany her protected her honor and reinforced that the Lin family would not withdraw the engagement.
Yet her heart was uneasy.
Third Miss wanted to withdraw the engagement, and the initial incident was the fault of the Wei Duke’s household.
Zi Kui clenched her fists, troubled, glancing at Su Mei. The little girl looked at her with clear eyes, no fear or defensiveness.
Lin Yi’an had been considering his next steps while his mother applied pressure. Now, a hazy plan has formed. He looked at the two and said to Zi Kui, “Miss Zi Kui, I am inexperienced, but I am a senior to Third Miss. None of today’s events were anticipated, but I can assure you, I would never do anything unworthy of her. Should I break this promise, you may inform the Zhongyi Marquis to take my head.”
His tone was calm yet carried an authority that inspired trust.
Zi Kui, stunned, looked at him. Lin Yi’an’s gaze was honest, and he silently mouthed to her: be patient.
Before she could respond, Su Mei softly called her, “Your hands are bleeding. Come back to the room with me. The doctor will check on you later.”
“Miss—” Zi Kui’s eyes welled up with tears. “I’m fine.”
Her hands were scratched from a previous scuffle. Seeing her lady concerned and inviting her along brought relief and joy.
Su Mei did not understand why Zi Kui cried, glancing at Lin Yi’an, her grip tightening. She only wanted to repay kindness.
Lin Yi’an, understanding her behavior, realized more about her condition. Although she could not recognize old servants, she could clearly tell who was kind to her, far from the madcap behavior described by the servants.
He smiled, “You are right. If you are hurt, you should be checked.”
Su Mei relaxed. Zi Kui wiped her tears, nodding repeatedly.
“Still dawdling?” Lin Henglǐ, following Princess Jiaxi’s orders, stepped forward, his face cold, maintaining decorum. The servants carrying the sedan chair followed.
Su Mei did not let go, stepping carefully. After only a few steps, she felt dizzy and unsteady.
Lin Yi’an quickly reached out and steadied her, preventing a fall.
“Miss!” Zi Kui rushed forward, sweating from fright, supporting her.
Su Mei swayed slightly but managed to stand.
“Bring another sedan chair quickly,” Lin Yi’an instructed, seeing her pale face.
Su Mei reached for his hand, weak yet smiling brightly. A faint blush spread across her fair cheeks.
“I’ve felt dizzy and nauseous since earlier,” she admitted, eyes shining with joy and anticipation.
Lin Yi’an froze, realizing something from her expression, and reached to cover her mouth.
Too late.
The little girl shouted happily, “I’m definitely carrying our child!”
The room erupted with shocked gasps. Lin Yi’an closed his eyes, covering his face in mild despair. Lin Henglǐ, just stepping down, lost his footing, his face turning black, and tumbled down the stairs.
Chaos ensued, but Su Mei remained joyful, already thinking about what name to give the child.