Yong Duke’s Mansion
Lin Xiner truly lived up to the Old Madam’s expectations. On the eighth day of the first lunar month, she returned to the Duke’s Mansion again.
Moreover, she had not sent anyone ahead the day before to announce her visit.
For a family of the Duke’s status, even a married daughter returning to her parents’ home was expected to send notice in advance.
Especially since both families lived in the capital, not far from each other.
It only required sending a servant to deliver a message.
Yet Lin Xiner, who had always been careful and thoughtful, had strangely overlooked this.
Perhaps she knew her visit was rather sudden…
After arriving, she did not first visit her mother. Instead, she went directly to the Old Madam’s Fushou Hall.
The Old Madam also showed the appropriate amount of surprise at her arrival.
“Xiner, shouldn’t you be at your husband’s home today, helping entertain the guests?”
As the daughter-in-law of the Duke of Chen’s Mansion, she could not simply come and go as she pleased.
Especially during the New Year, when there was so much to do in a duke’s household.
Today, Lin Xiner was still dressed in luxurious clothing, looking elegant and noble.
“Granddaughter told you before that whenever I have free time, I will come back often to visit you, Grandmother.”
Hearing this naturally pleased the Old Madam.
“You child. Our two families live so close to each other. You can come home anytime. But during the New Year, you’re not even staying at your own home. Aren’t you afraid your mother-in-law will be unhappy?”
Although she was gently scolding her, the Old Madam smiled brightly.
After all, anyone would be happy to have a granddaughter they had raised show such affection.
“My mother-in-law treats me very well. She would never be upset over something this small.”
Lin Xiner crouched obediently beside the Old Madam, her face filled with admiration and affection.
“In the future, I will always be filial to Grandmother, Father, and Mother.”
Looking at the sincere expression on her face…
If not for the letter hidden in the study…
Even if someone beat the Old Madam to death, she would never have believed that this beloved eldest granddaughter wanted their entire family dead.
“Well said. As long as the Duke’s Mansion remains strong, you married daughters will always have support behind you. Xiner, don’t you agree?”
The Old Madam gently patted her shoulder and spoke as though casually.
“Grandmother is right. I will certainly protect the honor of our Duke’s Mansion.”
Although Lin Xiner answered quickly…
The Old Madam still noticed that her body had stiffened for just a moment.
“I only hope all of you children remember that.”
The Old Madam sighed.
“Our Duke’s Mansion has lasted for hundreds of years because generation after generation of the Lin family carefully protected it. But now…”
She paused, looking worried.
“You also know that a tall tree catches the wind.”
Lin Xiner was clever and had inherited Wang Qingwan’s ruthless nature.
How could she fail to understand…
The Old Madam was warning her, reminding her not to forget the Duke’s Mansion’s kindness in raising her.
“Don’t worry, Grandmother. I understand.”
The grandmother and granddaughter chatted for a while longer.
Then Lin Xiner finally explained that she had another reason for coming today.
The first reason was about the copybooks she had taken home last time.
Chen Yuanqing had said they were meant for girls practicing calligraphy.
Since Yuge was a boy, those copybooks were unsuitable for him.
“Grandmother, I was so careless. I actually took home copybooks meant for girls. My husband laughed at me for quite a while.”
Lin Xiner laughed at herself.
“I didn’t bring them back. Someday, when Yuge has a younger sister, she can use them. They won’t go to waste.”
“I always thought you were such a careful child. I never expected you to make such a careless mistake.”
The Old Madam teased her with a smile.
“So I came back today to find some copybooks that are suitable for Yuge.”
At that moment, she suddenly seemed to remember something.
“I wonder if Father is in the study now. I’m a little afraid he won’t let me go in.”
“He is your father. Why would he stop you from entering his study?”
The Old Madam gently tapped her granddaughter’s nose.
“Have you forgotten? Your father has always loved you the most.”
“I was only joking with you, Grandmother.”
Lin Xiner stood up with a sweet smile.
“I actually have one more reason for coming today. My husband’s wet nurse will be returning to her hometown after the New Year. I’m planning to visit her later and give her some traveling money.”
She smiled shyly.
“My husband depends on her very much. These past few days he has kept saying how reluctant he is to let her leave.”
“Then hurry and go. Don’t delay important matters.”
The Old Madam did not reveal the slightest hint of suspicion, which finally put Lin Xiner at ease.
“Grandmother, wait for me. We’ll have lunch together later.”
Only after Lin Xiner had walked far enough that she could no longer be seen did the Old Madam let the smile fade from her face.
She rubbed her forehead tiredly.
Every one of their guesses had been correct.
They had already done everything they possibly could.
At Cuiping Nunnery, on the very night the Old Madam left, a nanny was caught attempting to poison the Empress Dowager.
Master Xiushan immediately had the woman secretly escorted back to the palace.
According to reports from the hidden guards, the Emperor flew into a furious rage.
The nanny claimed full responsibility for the poisoning herself.
After failing to get any useful information during the interrogation, the Emperor ordered her to be chopped into pieces.
As a result, the matter of poisoning the Empress Dowager came to an end without any further investigation.
When poisoning failed…
The Emperor tried to have the Empress Dowager assassinated instead.
The Duke’s hidden guards fought off a masked assassin who attempted to kill her.
Perhaps the Emperor feared the incident would become too public…
In any case, he stopped making further attempts, and for the time being, the Empress Dowager was safe.
Today, Lin Xiner’s visit marked the final step of their plan.
…
Just as Lin Xiner had expected, when she arrived, Lin Zhengbei was in his study writing something.
The next day would be the Grand Court Assembly, the first day all officials returned to court after the New Year.
When Lin Zhengbei was stationed in the northern frontier, that was another matter.
But now that he was in the capital, as a First-Rank Duke, he naturally had to attend court.
“Father…”
When Lin Xiner entered, the servants outside did not stop her.
Lin Zhengbei looked genuinely surprised to see her.
“Xiner, what brings you here at this time? Is something wrong?”
“Father, a few days ago, I came here to look for some copybooks for Yuge…”
Even Lin Xiner felt she might be worrying too much.
But if she did not come back and confirm it herself, she simply could not relax.
“Is there something wrong with the copybooks?”
When Lin Zhengbei became serious, even Lin Xiner felt a little intimidated.
“I took the wrong ones. I accidentally brought home copybooks meant for girls practicing calligraphy.”
“Then look around again. We can’t delay the child’s education.”
Perhaps thinking it was only a small matter, Lin Zhengbei asked no further questions.
He picked up the brush he had just set down and continued writing at his desk.