Seeing that the eldest daughter was so sensible, Xia Ning only felt a heartache.
When she married into the Marquis of Pingyang household as a secondary wife, Lin Shuyi was only ten years old—thin as a kitten.
Collateral relatives had coveted the marquis household’s wealth. They all wished that the only daughter of the estate would die young. The girl had been abused so badly that not a single patch of good skin remained on her body.
At that time, Xia Ning had divorced the Lin family’s father and taken the matter all the way to court, becoming the subject of ridicule throughout the capital.
Mother and daughter supported each other and survived the hardest years together. Though they shared no blood relation, they understood each other’s hardships and gave each other mutual care.
“Eldest son of the Zhang family has long been outstanding among the capital’s young noblemen. I heard that in this spring examination, if his talent had not already surpassed his peers, the court might have even intended to rank him as the third-top scholar. He is strict and dignified, bearing the style of his grandfather. If you fulfill your duties as the mistress of the household, you will naturally live with him in mutual respect,” Xia Ning said, sharing the information she had gathered.
“If it is a marriage chosen by Mother, it will surely be correct,” Lin Shuyi replied, a hint of shyness on her face.
Xia Ning then turned to Lin Jingchu.
“You are now half a member of the Lin family. I do not ask you to bring glory to the clan. I only ask that you live peacefully with your husband, cultivate yourself properly, and not bring trouble that would implicate the family.”
“……”
Lin Jingchu’s expression became complicated.
These words were sincere guidance. Xia Ning had indeed treated her well.
A mother who was capable, an elder sister who was competent—the paths for her had all been paved. Yet she still felt a sense of confusion, because no one had ever treated her this well before.
As she lowered her gaze, the jeweled hairpin with peony tassels swayed beside her temple. The cool touch of the gem reminded her that everything she wore and used now was not something she had earned through her own effort.
What had once been only four abstract words—“family honor”—had now become a tangible burden resting on her shoulders.
On the Zhang family side, Concubine Xing had caused trouble during the day and was punished with twenty strokes of the ruler and three months of confinement. Zhang Chuxu, who had been rude at the banquet, was punished with thirty strokes of the staff, carried out under the supervision of the current family head, Zhang Tianxing.
After everything was settled, Zhang Tianxing called his younger brother aside.
“The Marquis of Pingyang suffered a defeat at the frontier and is now gravely injured, surviving only by medicinal support. He will return to the capital soon. Go ask Chuxiao whether he is satisfied with the second daughter of the Lin family.”
If the Marquis died, the Lin family would be left with a widow and a young heir. They would no longer be as powerful as a household as before.
The marriage with the eldest branch had already been decided. Zhang Tianxing had seen both Lin daughters during the daytime banquet and did not wish to break the engagement, but he had no authority over the second branch.
Zhang Chengzhou thought for a moment and decided to consult his son.
“How many families has your elder aunt already introduced to you? Haven’t you found anyone you like?”
Back then, Zhang Chengzhou had allowed his illegitimate son to be born before his legitimate son, hurting his wife deeply. She died early of illness, and there had always been a thorn between him and this legitimate son. Every conversation required careful wording.
Zhang Chuxiao ate citrus fruits shipped from Huainan, looking carefree and lazy.
“I only like those who look good. The girls my aunt picked are all too old—not pretty.”
None of them were as good-looking as the Lin eldest daughter he had seen at the banquet that day.
Zhang Chengzhou almost scolded him but then remembered he was of marriageable age and could no longer be disciplined like a child.
“Originally, the Lin family was a good match. But your uncle said the Marquis of Pingyang has lost the battle and is barely alive. The Lin family is now just a widow and orphan household, so they won’t be much help to you. The second daughter’s father manages the Ministry of Revenue—if it were the Salt and Iron Bureau, that might have been more useful…”
“Then let it be the Lin family,” Zhang Chuxiao said lazily, curling his lips as if it were nothing.
After all, his elder brother had already chosen the second daughter. That left only the eldest unmarried daughter in the Lin family.