Fushou Hall.
“Fourth Girl, how did you know about this?”
Unlike her three sons, who could not believe it, the Old Madam felt that what Lin Suisui said was true.
“Before that letter is found, nothing I say will make you believe me.”
Lin Suisui stood up.
“If you find the letter tomorrow, I will say the same thing again. Do not let Mother know.”
She bowed to everyone in the room.
“Tomorrow evening, come to Bamboo Garden to see me. Then I will tell you the whole truth.”
After she left, no one in the room spoke.
“I think what Fourth Girl said… was not a lie.”
Third Master Lin Zhengchen had read the most books among the three brothers and was the smartest.
He passed the imperial examination three years ago. With the family’s help, he had been appointed as a county magistrate.
After serving outside the capital for three years, he was finally able to return home for the New Year.
“Mother, Xiner has always been well-educated and polite. Her mother raised her carefully. How could she do something like this?”
Lin Zhengbei looked helplessly at the Old Madam, as if hoping she would tell him it was impossible.
“I also don’t think the child was making things up.”
The Old Madam looked at her three sons.
“This matter is too serious. Whether Fourth Girl is telling the truth or not, we must be careful. Tomorrow, send people to guard the study.”
The Old Madam came from a family of military generals. She was a straightforward woman.
“If… Xiner really did this, then our Duke’s Mansion is in great danger.”
Her words made all three brothers fall silent.
Duke Yong, Lin Zhengbei, commanded two hundred thousand soldiers who guarded the northern border.
The Jin Kingdom, located in the north, had always wanted to invade the Great Yong Dynasty. Because of this, Lin Zhengbei stayed at the border most of the time and rarely returned home.
This was his first New Year in the capital in five years.
The last time he returned was for his eldest daughter’s wedding.
“If this is true… then the Emperor has finally decided to deal with our family.”
After a long silence, Lin Zhengbei spoke quietly.
Everyone in the room understood.
For generations, the Duke Yong’s family had controlled a powerful army.
To the Emperor, they had always been a thorn in his heart.
As long as that thorn remained, he could never feel at ease.
“We are only guessing. I believe in Xiner. She is not someone who would do something so foolish.”
Lin Zhengnan still refused to believe that his gentle and well-mannered niece would betray the family.
The Old Madam waved her hand.
“You may all go back. Just as Fourth Girl said, no one else can know about this. Perhaps tomorrow, nothing will happen.”
…
The next day.
It was the third day of the Lunar New Year, the traditional day when married daughters returned to visit their parents.
The Duchess, Wang Qingwan, got up early to prepare the noon banquet.
The Old Madam had no daughters born to her main wife, only three daughters born to concubines.
Even so, because of the Duke’s high status, those daughters had all married into noble families.
Every year on the third day of the New Year, they were the first guests to return.
The weather was not very good.
Snowflakes had been falling lightly since early morning.
Still, the snow did not stop people from going out.
The streets of the capital were crowded with horse carriages and sedan chairs.
Lin Xiner’s carriage was stuck in traffic for quite a while.
By the time she arrived at the Duke’s Mansion, her three aunts had already arrived.
They were sitting with the Old Madam in Fushou Hall, drinking tea and chatting.
…
Because there were many guests today, the family gathered in the large reception hall.
The floor heating had already been lit.
Although it was freezing outside, the hall was as warm as spring.
“Granddaughter wishes Grandmother a Happy New Year.”
Lin Xiner quickly stepped forward and bowed before the Old Madam.
She truly looked like a young lady from a great noble family.
She wore expensive clothes and was beautiful and graceful.
Her manners were perfect, and the smile on her face was warm and respectful.
Her husband, Chen Yuanqing, also smiled as he greeted the elders with New Year wishes.
“Good children, all of you are good children. Nanny Qian.”
The Old Madam smiled happily.
It was obvious she was delighted that her granddaughter had returned.
Nanny Qian took out three red envelopes and handed them to the younger generation.
One of them was given to little Yu Ge’er, who was being carried by his nurse.
“Thank you, Grandmother.”
Lin Xiner and her husband thanked her politely.
As juniors, they also received red envelopes from each of the three married aunts.
For a while, Fushou Hall was filled with laughter and happiness.
“Yu Ge’er, come to wish your Great-Grandmother a Happy New Year.”
Lin Xiner took her son from the nurse and helped him stand on the floor.
Yu Ge’er was three years old.
His little face was fair and chubby, making him especially lovable.
“Happy New Year, Great-Grandmother.”
His soft, sweet voice completely melted the Old Madam’s heart.
“Oh, my precious little darling.”
Before the child could even greet his three grandaunts, the Old Madam picked him up and sat him on her lap.
Nanny Qian arranged seats for Lin Xiner and her husband.
“Nanny Qian, did Grandmother not sleep well last night?”
Lin Xiner noticed the dark circles under the Old Madam’s eyes.
“I was just too happy thinking that all of you would come home today, so I couldn’t sleep.”
The Old Madam answered casually while playing with the child.
“Mother, we’ll come back to visit you more often.”
“Yes, Mother is getting older. We should visit more.”
The Old Madam had always treated her daughters born to concubines like her own children.
Because of that, all three married daughters remained very close to her.
“Grandmother, I will also come back often to keep you company.”
Lin Xiner’s eyes were full of concern for her grandmother.
“Xiner is right. Grandmother is getting older. We should visit her more often.”
Chen Yuanqing said with a smile.
The Old Madam smiled at the couple.
Most of the doubts in her heart disappeared.
No matter how she looked at them, they did not seem suspicious.
…
Next, the sisters greeted one another.
Since Chen Yuanqing was a male guest, he sat for only a short while before a servant led him to the front courtyard.
The Duke, his two younger brothers, and his sons were entertaining the male guests there.
“Greetings, Eldest Sister.”
The three younger girls stepped forward together and bowed.
“Congratulations on growing another year older, Sisters.”
Lin Xiner smiled gently.
“Grandmother, after the New Year, won’t the Second Sister’s wedding be coming soon?”
She casually started talking about family matters.
Second Miss Lin Yue’er was her full younger sister, both born to Duchess Wang.
Her marriage had been arranged years ago with the eldest son of a General’s Mansion.
After the New Year, the wedding preparations would likely begin.
“The Xu family has mentioned it before. As for the details, I’ll leave everything to Grandmother and Mother.”
Lin Yue’er had an open and cheerful personality and spoke naturally.
“Brother-in-laws from the Xu family can’t wait for the Second Sister to marry into their family. He’s already visited several times during the New Year.”
Third Miss Lin Xue’er, who was born to a concubine, spoke with obvious envy.
“It looks like Yue’er’s happy day is coming soon.”
The three married aunts laughed and joined the conversation.
Just as the Old Madam was beginning to think that Lin Suisui’s warning could not possibly be true…
Lin Xiner’s next words made her heart tighten once again.
“Grandmother, after the New Year, Yu Ge’er will be three years old. He’s old enough to begin his studies. I’d like to go to Father’s study and find a few calligraphy copybooks for him.”