After Chunlan returned, she recounted everything that had happened at Huayue House and repeated every word Liu Niang had said to Lin Shanyue without leaving out a single detail.
Smiling, Lin Shanyue said, “Alright, you don’t have to be quite so thorough. I get the idea.”
Chunlan shook her head.
“Sister Liu once told me that when relaying a message, not a single word should be omitted. It’s best to even remember the other person’s expressions. Only then can you accurately judge what they truly mean.”
That actually made sense.
Lin Shanyue silently committed the advice to memory.
She looked at the hairpin Liu Niang had gifted her and understood that Liu Niang now regarded her as one of her own. It made her even more certain that helping her had been the right decision.
After accepting the hairpin, she immediately wore it in her hair.
If nothing unexpected happened, she imagined this hairpin would stay with her for a very long time.
Today’s egg tarts had been a tremendous success. Since Huayue House had ordered a large quantity for tomorrow, Lin Shanyue and Chunlan each busied themselves with their own tasks that evening, working quietly until nearly midnight.
When Lin Shanyue finally lay down in bed, every muscle in her body ached. She didn’t have a shred of energy left.
Once I’ve finished repaying Liu Niang, we’ll have to hire another pair of hands.
The two of us simply can’t produce enough on our own.
She was so exhausted that she quickly fell asleep.
At the Northern Marquis’s Estate…
The old woman from noon truly was Jiang Wan’er’s wet nurse, Madam Wu.
Within the household servants, she was someone of considerable standing.
Her recent search throughout the Imperial Capital for Lin Shanyue had indeed been carried out under Jiang Wan’er’s orders.
After confirming Lin Shanyue’s whereabouts that day, Madam Wu naturally hurried back to report to the young lady.
Jiang Wan’er was leisurely eating bird’s nest soup.
Hearing the report, she frowned in obvious disgust.
“So… she’s really still here.”
Madam Wu dared not conceal anything and carefully recounted everything that had happened.
“That girl pretended not to recognize me. But how could there be two people in this world who resemble each other so closely? And the child she was carrying… it’s clearly the same little bastard from that day.”
Jiang Wan’er slowly set down her spoon.
“So, Nanny… you’re saying she’s presenting herself as a married woman now?”
“It certainly looked that way,” Madam Wu replied.
“She’s even wearing a married woman’s hairstyle.”
Jiang Wan’er smiled faintly.
“So… she is clever.”
In truth, Jiang Wan’er knew perfectly well that the child who had appeared that day was not Lin Shanyue’s biological son.
During the months Lin Shanyue had spent at the marquis’s estate, Jiang Wan’er had long since investigated every detail of her background.
Her former neighbors had all confirmed that Lin Shanyue had never had a sweetheart before.
There was no way she could suddenly have a son out of nowhere.
Yet Jiang Wan’er had deliberately allowed the misunderstanding to continue.
As far as she was concerned, regardless of why the true daughter had suddenly been found and brought back, Lin Shanyue’s existence was a genuine threat to her own position.
The substitute marriage could always be dealt with later.
But this thorn in her side…
…had to be removed.
“What do you think, Nanny?” Jiang Wan’er asked.
Madam Wu hesitated before answering.
“I think… if she’s willing to throw herself away and intends to live as a widow from now on, then Miss needn’t concern herself with her anymore.”
“Because the Marquis’s Estate could never acknowledge a widow like her.”
Jiang Wan’er lowered her eyes.
“Really?”
“But don’t people always say that blood is thicker than water? What does reputation matter compared to blood ties?”
“I still want her… to disappear from the Imperial Capital completely.”
Madam Wu glanced at her.
“But Madam seems to have noticed something recently. I’m worried…”
“Don’t worry.”
“Mother loves me more than anyone.”
“She would never blame me.”
“Nanny, you’ve always loved Wan’er too.”
“You’ll support me… won’t you?”
Madam Wu nodded.
“I watched Miss grow up with my own eyes. Naturally, my loyalty lies with you.”
Deep down, Madam Wu understood.
She was Jiang Wan’er’s wet nurse.
She had absolutely no connection to the other young lady.
Besides, she had already completely offended Lin Shanyue.
If Lin Shanyue were ever acknowledged by the family again…
…she would probably be the first servant to be dealt with.
Better that Lin Shanyue disappear.
The sooner she left, the cleaner everything would be.
Having made up her mind, Madam Wu said,
“If she’s determined to remain in the Imperial Capital, she’ll have to make a living somehow.”
“I’ll keep an eye on what she’s doing.”
“If I can cut off her livelihood…”
“…she naturally won’t be able to stay in the capital.”
Jiang Wan’er smiled sweetly.
“Nanny really loves me the most.”
Completely unaware of any of this, Lin Shanyue slept soundly through the night without a single dream.
Around dawn, at about the Hour of Mao (roughly 5–7 a.m.), she was awakened by Little Bao climbing all over her.
After yesterday’s outing, the little fellow had apparently developed a passion for going outside.
This morning he wouldn’t even sleep in.
Pointing toward the door with his tiny finger, he repeatedly shouted,
“Mule! Mule!”
Lin Shanyue sighed helplessly.
“Alright, alright. I’ll take you for a ride in the mule cart in a little while.”
After washing up, she finally felt more awake.
She immediately put the pastries she had prepared the night before into the oven.
Desserts like these had to be baked fresh first thing in the morning.
If they were left overnight, the flavor simply wouldn’t be the same.
There was no choice but to get up early.
Meanwhile, Chunlan had already finished preparing the Suhe Incense.
She was remarkably talented.
Once taught something, she almost always learned it immediately.
Lin Shanyue was very satisfied.
After the mistress and maid ate a simple breakfast, they led the big mule out of the shed once more.
Lin Shanyue took excellent care of the animal, never skimping on its feed.
After just one night’s rest, the mule already looked much more energetic.
“Mistress, everything is ready.”
Lin Shanyue was inside changing Little Bao’s clothes.
“Coming.”
Suddenly, the silver mirror—which almost never made a sound in the morning—spoke.
“Take me with you.”
Lin Shanyue jumped in surprise.
“Young Master? You’re awake so early?”
Huo Yi gave a quiet hum.
In truth, he hadn’t slept at all the previous night.
Originally, he had planned to catch a little sleep in the morning.
But after watching Lin Shanyue bustling about from dawn, he found himself completely unable to fall asleep.
So he simply decided to have someone carry him along and finally take a look at what the Great Qian Dynasty was like.
“You can leave?” Lin Shanyue asked in surprise.
“Of course.”
“It’s not as though I’m a ghost who can’t stand sunlight.”
Lin Shanyue laughed.
“Alright. Then I’ll take you with me.”
She tucked the silver mirror into the pocket of her sleeve.
The mirror wasn’t large, making it quite convenient to carry.
Now they were truly setting out.
Their first destination was, once again, Huayue House.
Liu Niang had been waiting for her since early morning.
After one night’s rest, she had already returned to her usual elegant appearance.
There wasn’t the slightest trace of swelling left on her face.
Lin Shanyue discreetly glanced at her a couple of times.
So the ointment really is that effective.
Liu Niang led her upstairs.
By now, inspecting the Suhe Incense had become little more than a formality.
Her attention was entirely focused on the pastries.
She sighed with admiration.
“Those egg tarts you made yesterday were simply delicious.”
“I’ve never been much of a sweets person, yet I couldn’t stop myself.”
“Oh dear… I’m going to get fat.”
Lin Shanyue smiled.
“You’re naturally beautiful, Sister. You won’t gain weight.”
“You certainly know how to flatter me!”
Liu Niang glanced at the top of Lin Shanyue’s head.
She had noticed first thing that morning that Lin Shanyue was wearing the hairpin she had given her, and it secretly pleased her.
“From now on, don’t call me ‘Madam.'”
“Call me ‘Big Sister’ instead.”
Lin Shanyue immediately nodded.
“Alright, Sister Liu.”
“And that ointment you gave me yesterday—it really worked.”
“Where do you keep finding such wonderful things?”
“I’ll be honest—my face has never recovered this quickly before.”
Lin Shanyue replied smoothly,
“I brought it from my hometown. The physician there is exceptionally skilled.”
Today was Huo Yi’s first time “going out.”
He accompanied Lin Shanyue the entire way without saying a word.
Yet every conversation on her side reached his ears clearly through the mirror.
Hearing the young woman now tell lies so effortlessly and without missing a beat…
Huo Yi couldn’t help but curl his lips into an amused smile.