Fushou Hall.
Lin Xiner’s words sounded casual, but they shocked the Old Madam.
The moment she heard the words “Father’s study,” her heart skipped a beat.
“Big Sister, your husband’s family surely has plenty of copybooks. Why do you have to go to Father’s school to get them?”
Lin Yue’er was a straightforward person. She did not think too deeply about it and simply asked what was on her mind.
“Father’s study is quite far from here, and it’s still snowing outside.”
She was only worried that her sister would get a cold.
“There are many copybooks in Father’s study. When I was little… I learned to write by copying those books.”
Lin Xiner spoke with a nostalgic smile.
“Now, before I know it, my own son is old enough to start learning.”
“Yue’er is right. It’s freezing outside. If you really want those copybooks, I’ll have someone bring them here.”
The Old Madam’s voice was full of love and concern.
“That’s right. Xiner is precious. Don’t let yourself catch a cold during the New Year.”
The eldest aunt agreed.
“There are so many copybooks. Other people won’t know which ones I want.”
Lin Xiner stood up.
“Since they are for Yu Ge’er’s first lessons, I don’t mind making the trip myself.”
“There’s no need to be in such a hurry. You can go after lunch.”
The Old Madam forced herself to stay calm as she smiled.
“Big Sister, listen to Grandmother. It’s still snowing. Maybe it will stop after lunch.”
Lin Yue’er also tried to persuade her.
“You just said it’s snowing.”
Lin Xiner held her younger sister’s hand and patted it gently.
“But maybe after lunch, the snow will get even heavier. I’d better go now.”
Then she turned to the Old Madam.
“Grandmother, I’ll tell you first. I won’t go ask Father for permission. It would be too troublesome to keep running back and forth.”
She knew that no one could enter Lin Zhengbei’s study without his permission.
“Go ahead then. Once you’ve found what you need, come back. We’ll have lunch together.”
As the Old Madam spoke, her eyes narrowed slightly.
“Yu Ge’er, stay here and play with your Great-Grandmother. Mother will be back soon.”
Before leaving, Lin Xiner bent down and teased her son with a smile.
Yu Ge’er was a lively child.
With so many people playing with him and the Old Madam feeding him snacks, he did not cry even as he watched his mother leave.
The Old Madam set him down from her lap and let him play with his grandaunts.
Then the smile disappeared from her face.
She rubbed her forehead tiredly.
After some time, Lin Xiner returned.
Seeing that the Old Madam did not look well, she quickly put the copybooks on the table.
“Grandmother, are you feeling unwell?”
She asked with concern.
“I’m fine. I just didn’t sleep well last night.”
The Old Madam smiled gently.
“Did you find the copybooks you wanted? Why were you gone so long?”
“There were guards outside Father’s study. They insisted on seeing Father’s written permission before letting me in.”
Lin Xiner sounded a little unhappy.
“Your father holds an important position. It’s only right for him to be careful.”
Then the Old Madam asked,
“Didn’t you tell them that I sent you?”
“I did. I spent a long time explaining. It seems that after getting married, I’ve really become an outsider.”
“Big Sister, don’t be upset. Even I haven’t been allowed into Father’s study for many years.”
Seeing that Lin Xiner looked truly wronged, Lin Yue’er quickly tried to comfort her.
“I’m only joking with you.”
Lin Xiner laughed and gently tapped her sister’s nose.
“I’m happy whenever I come home. Why would I feel upset?”
“You scared me. I thought you were really angry.”
Lin Yue’er patted her chest dramatically, making everyone in the room laugh.
The Old Madam smiled too.
But every now and then, she quietly watched her eldest granddaughter.
Although Lin Xiner had laughed it off…
The dissatisfaction in her eyes just now had been real.
The speed with which she changed her expression and how naturally she handled the situation made the Old Madam realize something.
Perhaps…
She had never truly understood the granddaughter she had cherished since childhood.
According to the Duke’s Mansion’s tradition, the married daughters stayed until after dinner before returning home.
So everyone was free during the afternoon.
Since the Old Madam had not slept well the previous night, she went to rest after lunch.
The three married daughters played cards with Lin Yue’er.
The younger girls played nearby and ate snacks.
Lin Xiner took Yu Ge’er to the main courtyard to spend time with her mother.
…
Meanwhile, in the front courtyard…
Lin Zhengbei was in a good mood today.
At lunch, he drank a little too much with the guests and accidentally spilled tea on his clothes.
His new outfit had to be changed.
After apologizing to the guests, he left with one of his personal guards.
His two younger brothers stayed behind to entertain everyone.
Once they were out of the front courtyard, Lin Zhengbei slowed his steps.
“Report.”
The guard lowered his head and quietly said,
“The Eldest Miss hid the letter inside a copy of the Analects.”
As he spoke, he secretly slipped a letter into Lin Zhengbei’s hand.
“Very good…”
Lin Zhengbei no longer looked drunk.
He tucked the letter inside his robe, unable to hide the anger on his face.
“Another hidden guard reported that the Eldest Miss is talking with Madam about banknotes.”
The guard continued.
“Good. I’ll go see what she’s really planning.”
Lin Zhengbei strode quickly toward the main courtyard.
Snow was still falling, and the courtyard was quiet.
A young maid standing under the corridor saw the Duke returning and was about to run inside to announce him.
One look from him stopped her.
When Lin Zhengbei pushed open the door, he saw a box filled with banknotes on the table.
Wang Qingwan and Lin Xiner were sitting beside it, counting the money.
“Father, why are you back?”
The moment Lin Xiner saw him, panic flashed across her face.
“Husband, weren’t you entertaining the guests in the front courtyard?”
Wang Qingwan stood up in surprise.
She and Lin Zhengbei had been married for many years, but because he spent most of his time guarding the northern border, they were often apart.
Even so, they had always gotten along well, so they addressed each other affectionately.
“I drank a little too much at lunch, so I came back to rest.”
He looked at the banknotes spread across the table.
“What are you two doing?”
“It’s like this…”
Wang Qingwan explained.
“The jewelry shop that Xiner received as part of her dowry ran into some trouble during the New Year. It lost a great deal of money.”
“This child has always been proud. She doesn’t want the people in her husband’s family to find out.”
“Father, I’ve already used up all the money I had. After the New Year, the jewelry shop still needs money to keep running…”
Although Lin Xiner did not finish her sentence, Lin Zhengbei already understood.
“So…”
“How much do you plan to borrow from your mother?”