Lin Xiner returned home after lunch.
When she left, her mother, Wang Qingwan, was naturally very reluctant to see her go.
She brought Lin Yue’er and Lin Xue’er with her to escort her beloved eldest daughter to the carriage area.
Looking at her mother and younger sisters seeing her off, Lin Xiner’s heart remained completely calm.
Once an arrow has been released, it cannot be called back.
Since she had chosen this path, she no longer had the right to hesitate.
The Duke’s household had indeed raised her…
But now she was a mother.
She was a mother trying to secure a better future for her own child.
She believed she had done nothing wrong.
The only mistake was that the Duke’s household had become a threat in the emperor’s eyes.
Even without her and Chen Yuanqing’s help, would the emperor have spared the Duke’s family?
The answer was obvious.
Since the destruction of the Duke’s household was only a matter of time…
Why shouldn’t she take this chance to avoid imprisonment while helping Chen Yuanqing gain promotion and wealth?
Even the future title of Duke of Chen would eventually belong to their family.
After taking one last look at the place where she had grown up, Lin Xiner lowered the carriage curtain without hesitation.
Starting tomorrow, the Duke’s household would disappear completely from the capital.
She needed to hurry back.
Chen Yuanqing was waiting at home for the news she would bring.
…
After Lin Xiner’s carriage left, another plain carriage covered with blue cloth quietly followed it out of the Duke’s residence.
Inside were Lin Suisui and Nanny Qing.
Old Madam Yu, who lived with them, remained behind in Bamboo Garden because her name was listed in the Duke’s household register.
But Nanny Qing was different.
She was the little maid Lin Suisui had bought herself during the only time she had ever left the residence.
Over the years, although Wang Qingwan knew Nanny Qing existed, she had never paid her any wages.
In truth, Nanny Qing was only allowed to eat at the Duke’s residence.
She received no other treatment.
That was why Lin Suisui felt safe bringing her away.
The carriage stopped at the entrance of a small alley.
An elderly woman and a young girl dressed as a maid were already waiting there.
Seeing Lin Suisui getting out of the carriage, they hurried over to help her.
“Fourth Miss, this isn’t a good place to talk; please come inside first.”
The elderly woman looked about fifty years old.
Her gray hair was neatly combed, and she looked sharp and capable.
Lin Suisui nodded and followed them into a courtyard halfway down the alley.
It was a modest house with two connected courtyards.
There was a small open courtyard in the middle and a little flower bed.
Everything was clean and tidy.
“Fourth Miss, this is your room.”
After Lin Suisui entered, both women knelt and bowed.
“This servant is Madam Wang. Greetings, Master.”
“This servant has no name. Please give me one, Master.”
“You may both stand.”
Lin Suisui sat beside the table and looked at them.
Madam Wang had once been a young maid serving the Old Madam.
She was clever and had spent many years managing the Old Madam’s shops outside the residence.
Because of her loyal service, the Old Madam had freed her from slavery two years earlier.
Her name was not listed in the Duke’s household register.
“You are Shadow Five?”
Lin Suisui narrowed her eyes as she looked at the young girl dressed as a maid.
“Yes, this servant is Shadow Five.”
The girl looked about the same age as Lin Suisui, around fourteen or fifteen years old.
She had a round, youthful face that made her look cheerful and likable.
No one knew how shocked Lin Suisui felt.
In her previous life…
This was the very girl who had stayed by her side until the end.
She had always believed that she had accidentally saved the girl’s life, and that was why the girl had remained completely loyal to her.
Now she realized she had been wrong.
Shadow Five had always been her father’s secret guard.
She had been specially assigned to protect her.
Everything suddenly became clear.
In her previous life, she had not simply been lucky enough to rescue a martial arts expert by chance.
It had been arranged.
Her father had ordered Shadow Five to let herself be rescued by Lin Suisui.
That way, she could naturally remain by Lin Suisui’s side as her protector.
So even in her previous life…
Long before she knew anything…
Her family, who later died protecting her, had already done so much for her.
Thinking of this only strengthened Lin Suisui’s determination to protect them.
“From now on, your name will be Nanny Lan.”
She gave Shadow Five exactly the same name she had used in her previous life.
That way, she would always remember her father’s love and protection.
“I have something I need both of you to do.”
Lin Suisui did not bother looking around the courtyard or examining the room.
To her, this was only a temporary place to stay.
After this crisis passed, she would return to the Duke’s residence and reclaim her rightful place as the Fourth Miss.
And the Duke’s household…
Would become the strongest support she had.
Lin Xiner…
Lin Suisui silently repeated the name in her heart.
“In this life, your punishment is coming very soon.”
…
The ninth day of the first lunar month.
Taiji Hall.
Today was the first full court session after the New Year, when all the officials officially returned to court.
As more and more officials arrived, the hall was filled with greetings.
Even people who usually disliked each other smiled politely and greeted one another.
After all, during the New Year, no one wanted to create unnecessary conflict.
Lin Zhengbei was a first-rank duke and had not returned to the capital for many years.
As soon as he entered the hall, many officials came to greet him.
He responded politely, exchanging a few words with each person.
Only Chancellor Li did not come over.
He understood Lin Zhengbei’s temper very well.
He was afraid that if he greeted him, Lin Zhengbei would only mock him again for being a stubborn scholar.
“Brother Chen, it’s been a long time.”
Lin Zhengbei greeted the Duke of Chen, who had just entered.
He had returned in a hurry before the New Year, so they had not yet had a chance to meet.
The Duke of Chen was genuinely happy to see him.
When they were young, they had been good friends.
Now that they were also related by marriage, they were even closer.
“The Emperor has arrived!”
Just as they were talking, the ceremonial eunuch announced the emperor’s arrival.
Lin Zhengbei knelt together with all the officials.
“Long live Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor!”
The emperor sat upon the Dragon Throne.
“Rise, my loyal ministers.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
The officials stood and returned to their places.
Except for the princes and the Crown Prince, whose ranks were higher than his, Lin Zhengbei stood near the front.
The first people he noticed were the Crown Prince and the Second Prince, who had entered with the emperor.
Both princes greatly respected the great marshal who guarded the northern frontier.
When Lin Zhengbei looked toward them…
Although neither spoke, both smiled politely and gave him a slight nod.
“At the beginning of this new year, I wish all my loyal ministers a happy New Year.”
The emperor smiled warmly as he greeted his officials.
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
The officials knelt once again to express their gratitude.
“Duke Yong, it has been several years since you last spent the New Year in the capital, hasn’t it?”
The emperor looked at Lin Zhengbei and asked in a warm, concerned tone.