“Now you’re not talking about mutual affection anymore?”
Xia Ning’s words were calm but pointed out.
Lin Jingchu fell silent.
In her memory, the original owner had once loudly declared she would only marry someone she truly loved—never a marriage arranged by her parents.
But after being “beaten by life,” Lin Jingchu now felt something different: honestly, it didn’t really matter who she ended up with. In this era, refusing marriage altogether would bring enormous social pressure. She was used to being… mediocre at coping with pressure. Choosing a path with less resistance, as long as it looked acceptable on the surface, was just like switching to workplaces.
She didn’t fully commit to her answer. Instead, she lowered her head with a hint of helplessness.
“I once hit a wall head-on. Only then did I realize I should turn back in time. I was wrong before.”
The original owner had been love-struck and idealistic; she couldn’t suddenly become too different.
Xia Ning looked slightly more satisfied.
“Aren’t you afraid of that concubine and the illegitimate son?”
“What is there to be afraid of?” Lin Jingchu replied casually. “Their acting skills are obvious to anyone. They’re also muddle-headed—making a scene and not gaining anything. They’re truly not presentable.”
She clicked her tongue, borrowing Madam Cui’s earlier words.
She had watched enough palace intrigue dramas in her past life; people like that usually wouldn’t last past episode three.
A faint smile appeared on Xia Ning’s face, her strict expression softened a little.
“Good that you can see that. The Zhang family strictly observes rules between legitimate and illegitimate lines. The second branch will eventually be controlled by Third Young Master Zhang. He is close to the main branch, so once you marry in, there won’t be many messy disputes. Your elder sister will also marry into the main branch, so there will be no sister-in-law conflicts. If your future children want official careers, there will also be support. A life that can be seen clearly from start to finish—that is the best kind.”
She had already laid out the entire life path for her daughter: stability, support, and security.
Lin Jingchu found herself agreeing as well.
When young, one might dream of dramatic, passionate love stories. But the longer one lived—metaphorically or otherwise—all that mattered was ease and comfort.
“The second sister is indeed intelligent. Mother need not worry too much,” Lin Shuyi said gently, though there was a trace of envy in her heart.
Such a stable life was the dream of many women. As the eldest legitimate daughter, however, her marriage had to serve the family; she could not simply choose comfort.
Back at the Marquis’ residence, Lin Shuyi still felt uneasy. That night, during the evening greetings, she relayed what the Zhang sisters had asked of them, praising Lin Jingchu in every sentence.
After washing up, Xia Ning changed into a silk night robe. Her hair fell loosely over her shoulders. In the warm lamplight, the fine lines left by time softened, making her look almost in her twenties.
Lin Jingchu often found herself momentarily stunned by the beauty of this entire household.
“The Zhang family is large and complicated, with many branch relations. Since this matter concerns reputation, they would not dare to spread it themselves, so it should be fine,” Xia Ning said.
Then she changed the topic.
“You are usually quiet. It’s rare to see you take such initiative.”
After today’s conversation in the carriage, and earlier interactions, Xia Ning had begun to see this daughter differently—her seemingly simple answers carried an unexpected kind of clarity.
Lin Jingchu lowered her eyes, choosing not to respond directly, fully committing to her act of being harmless and muddle-headed.
She needed to appear like someone who couldn’t quite rise—but also not so useless that she was worthless.
That was the true art of “coasting through life.”
She just wanted the most comfortable way to survive.
After a pause, seeing no one speak, she looked up blankly.
“Huh? What?”
Xia Ning sighed and shook her head. The brief spark of hope vanished again. She turned to Lin Shuyi, speaking earnestly.
“The Zhang marriage was carefully arranged by me. Everything over there has been handled. You are the eldest daughter of the Lin family; your responsibilities are heavy. Your younger brother is only eight years old. The honor of the marquis household depends on us. Your father’s letter warned us not to get involved in the struggle for succession—our family foundation cannot afford to take the wrong side. One wrong step would be disastrous.”
Then her tone softened.
“You’ve been wronged, my child.”
“Mother, I am the daughter of the Lin family. Personal feelings are insignificant compared to family honor. Besides, my relationship with the First Prince was never purely emotional,” Lin Shuyi replied calmly. “At first, I only thought that since the First Prince was favored, there might be some future benefit for the Lin family.”
Lin Jingchu looked at her in surprise.
That ambition, so openly revealed, was completely different from her usual gentle, proper demeanor.