But for Little Doudou and the others, who had never tasted food prepared in such novel ways before, it was absolutely delicious.
After just one bite, Little Doudou exclaimed again, “This is so good too! Food can be eaten like this? It’s amazing! This is my favorite!”
The corners of Lin Youyou’s eyes twitched uncontrollably at those words. Wasn’t her “favorite” changing a little too often? In just a short while, she had already declared two or three things as her favorite. Heh…
“So tomatoes can be eaten like this too! I used to hate tomatoes the most—they were so sour. But prepared this way, they’re delicious!” Little Doudou’s bright eyes sparkled as she looked at Lin Youyou.
It felt like she had finally discovered the source of all delicious food. Haha…
Looks like from now on, she’d have to stick close to Big Sister Lin.
After eating, the two returned to their room to rest. Little Doudou simply couldn’t fall asleep.
Ever since she could remember, she had always slept alone. Even if maids stayed nearby, they slept in the outer room or on a small couch beside her. No one had ever slept together with her before.
Little Doudou cautiously shifted her chubby little body, inching closer and closer to Lin Youyou.
How could Lin Youyou possibly fail to notice the little girl’s intentions?
So she simply stretched out her arm and pulled the little girl—who was still trying to secretly edge closer—straight into her embrace. Her voice carried a trace of exhaustion and huskiness as she said,
“Go to sleep. Good night.”
“Mhm… good night.” The little girl replied softly, her tiny face flushed red, the smile on her lips impossible to suppress.
The embrace she leaned against was soft and carried a faint fragrance. It felt completely different from when her father carried her.
Her father’s embrace was firm and solid, giving a strong sense of safety.
But when Big Sister Lin held her, it made her whole heart feel soft.
So… was this what a mother’s embrace felt like?
Little Doudou closed her eyes, smiling as she nestled in Lin Youyou’s arms, slowly drifting off to sleep.
The night passed quietly.
At daybreak the next morning, Little Doudou rubbed her eyes and sat up. She suddenly opened them wide, staring blankly at the bed where she was alone, unable to react for a moment.
Jiang San’s voice sounded from outside the door.
“Miss, you’re awake. Miss Lin has gone to Madam Xu’s room. Hurry and get up for breakfast too. Once Master returns, we’ll be setting out.”
“Okay.” Little Doudou happily got out of bed. Although she hadn’t woken up in Big Sister Lin’s arms, it still couldn’t ruin her good mood.
Breakfast had been prepared by the inn—meat buns, porridge, and pickled vegetables. Very simple and common fare.
The taste was decent enough—not bad, but not particularly good either.
Madam Xu also came out to eat breakfast together. Seeing her daughter looking refreshed and full of spirit, she knew the girl had recovered well from her fatigue.
With a smile, Madam Xu said, “We’ll arrive in the capital tomorrow. We’ll finally see your brother and your father. I haven’t seen your father in so many years—I wonder what he looks like now. And your brother too.”
“…”
Lin Youyou remained silent.
After so many years, how could people possibly remain unchanged? Perhaps Father already had several concubines by his side by now. It was even possible he had a whole group of illegitimate sons and daughters.
Once they reached the capital, there would still be a hard battle ahead. She needed to think carefully about how to deal with it.
It wasn’t until that afternoon that Third Master He finally returned. The moment he came back, the carriages immediately resumed their journey toward the capital, traveling day and night without stopping.
As a result, they arrived even earlier than Lin Youyou had originally expected.
The morning sun had only just risen when they entered the capital city.
The carriage stopped on the main street. Jiang San jumped down and respectfully said to Lin Youyou as she stepped out of the carriage,
“Miss Lin, we’ve already entered the capital. Let us part ways here.”
“Alright. Please thank Third Master He for taking care of us throughout this journey.” Lin Youyou stepped down and gave a slight bow.
Since they were parting here, and Third Master He hadn’t come out from inside the carriage, it meant he either didn’t want to see her or it wasn’t convenient for him to do so at the moment. Jiang San’s words were naturally also Third Master He’s intentions.
“Very well then, Miss Lin. Until we meet again,” Jiang San cupped his fists in farewell.
“Until we meet again.” Lin Youyou nodded as well.
Only after watching Jiang San leap onto a horse held by one of the guards and ride away did Lin Youyou sit back on the carriage shaft and say to Madam Xu inside the carriage,
“Mother, let’s go too. We’ll be home soon.”
“Alright.”
Jiang San quickly caught up to Third Master He’s carriage.
Third Master He’s voice came from inside.
“Secretly follow Miss Lin. Don’t alarm her. Report back only after she returns to the residence.”
“Yes, sir.” Jiang San responded and departed at once.
Only then did Third Master He look helplessly at Little Doudou beside him.
“Now you can stop worrying.”
“Mhm. Father is the best.” Little Doudou’s spoiled, coquettish voice rang out.
The eastern district of the capital was where the imperial palace stood, so all around it were the residences of princes, marquises, and nobles. Farther outward were the homes of officials.
The Lin Residence was located on the outer edge of the eastern district.
Her father was an Assistant Minister of Works—a third-rank official. Not particularly high-ranking, yet not insignificant either.
But in a place where a single falling brick might hit a prince or noble, there was nothing especially impressive about such status.
The carriage slowly moved forward.
Only after half an hour did they finally arrive in front of the Lin Residence.
Lin Youyou jumped down from the carriage and said to Madam Xu inside,
“Mother, wait here for a moment. I’ll go knock.”
“Alright.”
Madam Xu’s voice trembled with barely restrained excitement. She was finally about to see her husband and son again—how could her heart remain calm?
Lin Youyou stepped forward and knocked on the gate.
The door opened from inside, revealing a servant boy dressed in dark blue servant clothing. Looking at the beautiful young girl standing outside, he asked,
“May I ask who you are?”
“I am Lin Youyou, the legitimate eldest daughter of Lin Chaowen. Please open the main gate and welcome the matriarch of the Lin family—my mother—back into the residence.”
Lin Youyou stood straight and tall. Her voice was neither loud nor soft, but calm, dignified, and unyielding.
Her words caused passersby on the street to stop and look toward her.
The family’s matriarch? Legitimate daughter?
How strange. Didn’t members of the same family recognize each other? Why would she need to formally announce herself like this?
The gatekeeper servant was also stunned. An impatient expression quickly appeared on his face.
“What legitimate young miss? What matriarch? I’ve never heard of such people. Hurry up and leave.”
The servant didn’t lower his voice when speaking, so Madam Xu inside the carriage heard everything clearly.
She abruptly lifted the curtain and stepped down from the carriage, walking slowly to Lin Youyou’s side.
Lin Youyou immediately stepped forward to support her.
Madam Xu’s eyes turned slightly cold as she looked at the servant.
“You just said you’ve never heard of Lin Youyou—or the matriarch, Madam Xu?”
“That’s right. So what?” The servant looked puzzled, as if he saw nothing strange about it.
Madam Xu took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down before asking,
“Then where is your Master Lin—Lin Chaowen, Assistant Minister Lin?”
“Our master has gone to court and hasn’t returned yet. He should be back in about half an hour.”
The servant answered bluntly, showing no courtesy whatsoever.