This was hardly a lotus pond—it was clearly an enormous, landscaped garden. Pavilions and covered walkways stretched throughout; red flowers and green trees filled out the scenery, and in the distance artificial rockeries blocked the horizon. The entire place looked magnificent.
The pavilion stood at a high elevation beneath the shade of trees. Cool breezes drifted through constantly, making it wonderfully refreshing.
The servants brought up tea and refreshments.
Zhang Yunhe glanced around before dismissing all the servants to the distant covered bridge.
“We’ve all heard about the Second Young Lady’s reputation in Bianjing before. But seeing your behavior today, how did you suddenly come to your senses?”
Lin Jingchu looked bewildered. What did this have to do with her?
And what exactly had happened to her old reputation?
Lin Shuyi’s face turned cold. “If you specially invited us out here just to discuss that, then there’s no need to continue.”
“Second Sister, let’s go back.”
Lin Jingchu rose together with Lin Shuyi.
Zhang Yunhe panicked. “Please wait, elder sisters! That’s not what I meant.”
Beside her, Zhang Muyao grabbed Lin Jingchu’s sleeve. “Second Young Lady, our sisters truly mean no harm. We invited you here today because we hoped you could persuade our cousin.”
As it turned out, Cui Wanwan came from the prestigious Cui family yet had fallen in love with one of the household guards. The guard was a house-born servant of extremely low status, but she stubbornly insisted on being with him no matter what anyone said.
No matter how much a legitimate daughter of the Cui family lowered herself in marriage, she absolutely could not marry a servant.
Previously, Lin Jingchu’s reputation for liking a poor scholar had spread throughout all the noble households of Bianjing. Everyone knew about it. In the end, matters escalated to the point where her father directly changed her household registration and sent her to the Marquis Manor. Yet after only a few months, she had accepted the marriage arranged by her family and agreed to an alliance with a prestigious clan.
Because of this, Zhang Yunhe wanted to know how Lin Jingchu had changed her mind, hoping she could use the same reasoning to persuade Cui Wanwan.
Lin Jingchu: …Thank you very much for that.
Lin Shuyi’s face turned pale with anger, her displeasure obvious.
Zhang Yunhe stood and bowed apologetically, sniffing slightly. “This younger sister was rash. Please don’t blame me, my elder sisters. It’s just that Cousin has done many outrageous things lately. I know bringing up old matters is rude, but Aunt and Uncle have only one legitimate daughter. Before asking this, I first sought permission from my eldest aunt.”
Zhang Muyao’s eyes reddened slightly. She pulled up Cui Wanwan’s sleeve, revealing delicate arms wrapped in bandages. Blood had seeped through the cloth, making the wound look frightening.
“My cousin is stubborn as a block of wood. I don’t know what kind of love potion that man fed her, making her willing to harm herself just to be with him.” Zhang Muyao’s nose stung as her voice trembled.
“This…” Lin Shuyi frowned slightly and looked toward Lin Jingchu questioningly.
Since Madam Cui herself had spoken about the matter, it was difficult for her to say much more. After all, she could hardly offend her future mother-in-law before even marrying the family.
Lin Jingchu let out a breath and looked at the wound with pity.
Fifteen years old—an age of blooming flowers. A lovestruck fool truly was beyond saving.
Wasn’t the original owner herself someone who had destroyed her own life because of love?
The Zhang sisters both looked toward Lin Jingchu, hoping she would say something to persuade Cui Wanwan.
From the beginning, Cui Wanwan resembled a puppet on strings. Her eyes were dull and lifeless, uncaring no matter what the others said around her. Even when her arm was tugged, her expression remained indifferent.
Lin Jingchu said, “Perhaps Miss Cui’s life has gone too smoothly, so she wants to experience some hardship?”
Zhang Yunhe blinked. “What do you mean?”
Lin Jingchu replied, “If someone wants hardship, then there will always be endless suffering waiting for them. Since Miss Cui wants to marry beneath herself, then let her marry.”
The moment those words fell, the Zhang sisters stared in shock, while Cui Wanwan’s lifeless eyes finally stirred slightly.
“How can that be? How could a noble young lady lower herself to marry a servant?” Zhang Muyao frowned deeply, and even the way she looked at Lin Jingchu became unfriendly.