The few dishes she had ordered were barely touched before she left the table. No one even knew whether the servants had remembered to pack them up.
That was three taels of silver!
Half a month’s allowance for her.
Lin Shuyi: …Her younger sister really had strange priorities.
“Don’t worry, little sister. If the Marquis’ household won’t cover it, I’ll pay from my personal account. I won’t put you in a difficult position.”
Only then did Lin Jingchu finally relax.
“Aren’t you going to ask me what happened today?” Lin Shuyi asked curiously.
Now that her biggest concern had been resolved, Lin Jingchu no longer cared much about anything else. She waved her hand dismissively. “As long as everything’s fine now, there’s no need to ask so much.”
In this world, the only thing capable of making her bow her head was the money in her pocket. Nothing else mattered.
This time, Lin Shuyi’s smile became much more genuine. “Little sister, you truly have a pure heart. I misunderstood you before.”
Lin Jingchu looked listless, and Lin Shuyi asked worriedly, “What’s wrong?”
“I’m hungry.” Lin Jingchu was still thinking about the food earlier.
“Chenshuang, go to Xichun Tower and order a first-rate banquet to be delivered to Biyuan Pavilion.”
“Yes, First Madam.”
“Excuse me, is this the carriage of the Pingyang Marquis Manor?” A clear, refined male voice called out.
Nanny Fei walked beside the carriage and asked, “Who are you?”
“I am Lu Qingyu, Cousin Jing’s elder cousin. I heard she moved into the Marquis Manor, so I came to visit her.”
Inside the carriage, Lin Shuyi glanced at Lin Jingchu.
Back then, it was this very man who had colluded with Lin Jingchu’s maidservant to drug her.
Before leaving, Xia Ning had repeatedly instructed Nanny Fei, so she replied, “Young Master Lu, you are an unrelated man. Men and women should keep their distance. Please conduct yourself properly.”
Lin Jingchu’s expression remained indifferent, as though she did not care at all.
“Don’t speak to irrelevant people. Let’s go.” Nanny Fei urged the coachman.
At moments like this, the advantage of traveling with a large entourage became obvious.
Several servants cleared the way ahead, while maids surrounded the carriage tightly. Since Lin Jingchu refused to speak first, Lu Qingyu did not even catch a glimpse of her sleeve.
“Jing-meimei, I passed the imperial examination! Ranked fifteenth in the second class! If you follow me in the future, I won’t let you suffer…”
A few passersby looked at Lu Qingyu’s plain blue robe, then at the luxurious Marquis Manor carriage, and shook their heads.
“You think noble ladies from great families are so easy to marry into? Keep your voice down. If you anger them, their servants might beat you up.”
Lu Qingyu’s face darkened. “Get lost!”
“Fine, fine, we’re leaving. Even if we go, you still won’t climb that social ladder. Young people these days only think about shortcuts.”
“If you had a pretty face too, you’d probably chase after rich women just as eagerly.”
“To hell with you!”
As the carriage rolled farther away, Lu Qingyu’s voice gradually faded.
Lin Shuyi took Lin Jingchu’s hand and smiled gently. “Second Sister, it’s good that you’ve come to your senses. He’s just a man trying to climb the social ladder through marriage—not a suitable match. When women marry beneath themselves, they must be especially cautious. Mother will choose you a husband better than him.”
Lin Jingchu nodded in agreement. “I can’t handle suffering alongside a man.”
In her previous life, she never married because she didn’t want to live a hard life. After being reborn, it was even less likely.
Life could start sweet and stay sweet. It could even start sweet and turn bitter later. But it absolutely could not begin with hardship in hopes of sweetness later on. After all, no one knew whether tomorrow or disaster would arrive first. Better to enjoy blessings first.
Back at the Marquis Manor—
After learning that the marriage alliance with the Zhang family was essentially settled, Lin Shuyi finally breathed a sigh of relief.
When Xia Ning arrived at Biyuan Pavilion, the sisters were happily eating.
“You two seem to be in good spirits.”
“Mother, come eat with us,” Lin Shuyi invited with a smile.
“I’ve already eaten it. The Zhang family came today to propose marriage, and I accepted.”
A faint blush spread across Lin Shuyi’s face. Her beautiful eyes shifted awkwardly, though she still maintained her composure. “Mother may decide.”
Xia Ning smiled gently. “You’ve always been a child who never caused me worry.”
Then she turned toward Lin Jingchu.
Lin Jingchu had naturally stunning features. In the past, she always wore a sorrowful, resentful expression, diminishing her beauty by several degrees. But after three months in the Marquis Manor, she had gained a calm, composed bearing. She was like a pearl once covered by black cloth—now that the cloth had been removed; her brilliance was dazzling.
“What does Jing’er think of Third Young Master Zhang?”
Lin Jingchu lowered her head and continued eating. When she heard her call, she looked up with a grain of rice still stuck to the corner of her mouth. “What?”
Xia Ning sighed inwardly. “You look clever, but you’re a bit foolish. I asked what you think of Third Young Master Zhang. If you think he’s suitable, we’ll settle the marriage.”
“Cough, cough, cough!” Lin Jingchu choked.
The maids hurriedly handed her tea and a handkerchief.
Everything became chaotic for a moment.
Lin Shuyi immediately sensed something strange. She herself was eager to marry because she wanted to escape Zhao Jin’s harassment. But Lin Jingchu was still young—yet their mother seemed unusually anxious.
Thinking about this, she voiced her question.
Lin Jingchu had finally recovered as well. She had indeed thought about marrying someone eventually, but there was no need to rush. This body was only fifteen years old—still a middle schooler by modern standards.
The two sisters looked curiously at Xia Ning.
Xia Ning moved her lips slightly before saying, “It’s your father’s wish. The border war is likely ending soon, and he’ll return to the capital before long. He hopes to see both of you married before then.”
Lin Jingchu felt the atmosphere turn strange, but since she was only half full, she continued eating while listening.
“Is Father alright?” Lin Shuyi frowned slightly.
Xia Ning smiled naturally. “He’s fine. The Lu family has also been pressing about Jing girl’s marriage. I thought I’d settle both your marriages together and arrange them at the same time. It would count as double happiness.”
“Third Young Master Zhang is the man you met in the front hall that day. What do you think of him, Jing’er?” Xia Ning’s gaze softened.
Back when she divorced, she had originally intended to take Lin Jingchu with her. But on the day, she left, Lin Jingchu’s father hid the child away. She searched desperately but could not find her.
Toward this daughter, what she felt most was guilt. She wanted her daughter’s future life to be smooth and comfortable.
Lin Jingchu thought hard, but no matter what, she could not remember Zhang Chuxiao’s face. After struggling for a moment, she finally squeezed out one sentence:
“He’s pretty handsome.”
Lin Shuyi added, “Mother, when we went to Xiangguo Temple today, we met this Third Young Master Zhang. He even spoke up righteously and saved us.”
She then recounted how Zhao Jin had detained her and how Lin Jingchu had rescued her.
Upon hearing this, Xia Ning flew into a rage. Her beautiful eyes widened in fury. “The First Prince has gone too far!”
“Mother, calm down,” Lin Shuyi hurriedly soothed her.
Xia Ning’s chest rose and fell sharply with anger. Lin Jingchu watched nervously and handed her a cup of tea.
Looking at her now much more sensible younger daughter, Xia Ning asked again, “That Third Young Master Zhang was willing to offend the First Prince for your sake. Although part of it was for his elder brother’s honor, it still shows he’s warmhearted. The Zhang family’s second branch has been merchants for generations. They own thirteen salt estates in Jiangnan and two tea plantations in Yunnan. Even just their openly declared wealth rivals that of a nation. Compared to the Xia family, they possess even greater prestige. If you marry into their family, you won’t suffer hardship.”
Lin Jingchu fiddled with her fingers, hesitating.
Her thoughts were in chaos. She didn’t dare make promises lightly.
Was she really going to marry in this era?
Even though she had mentally prepared herself long ago, now that the moment had truly arrived, she still could not bring herself to say yes.