Based on the original host’s memories, she headed straight for the side hall.
Side Hall
Lin Hongda and Madam Zhang along with her daughter were just about to sit down for a meal.
A voice suddenly rang out.
“Better to arrive early than on time—I just happen to not have eaten yet.”
Madam Zhang and her daughter looked like they wanted to kill the person with their eyes.
This person was none other than Lin Yiyi, who had long been planning to “freeload a meal.”
“Why are you suddenly eating in the side hall today?” Lin Hongda asked in confusion.
“I’ve been eating from the small kitchen every day and I’m tired of it. There’s nothing new, so I came here to change things up,” Lin Yiyi replied softly and politely, completely different from her previous aggressive behavior.
Lin Hongda glanced thoughtfully at Madam Zhang.
Meeting her husband’s gaze, Madam Zhang panicked inwardly: Why is this little brat here at this critical moment? Is she here to ask for money again?
Although she hated Lin Yiyi, she still had to maintain appearances in front of Lin Hongda.
“Yiyi, since you’re used to the small kitchen, you can ask Madam Zhou and Xiao Tao to take ingredients from the main kitchen, or tell the chefs directly if you want anything made,” she said with fake kindness.
“Then Yiyi thanks Madam Zhang!”
Madam Zhang reluctantly ordered everyone to start eating.
The “white lotus” daughter stared at Lin Yiyi with deep resentment, wishing she could tear her apart.
Lin Yiyi ignored their glares completely, picked up her chopsticks, and started eating.
She ate fast and aggressively—chicken legs, pork knuckle, fish belly, ribs… everything went into her bowl!
She did not care at all about Lin Hongda’s shocked expression, Madam Zhang’s gritted teeth, or the “white lotus” daughter’s smugness.
In short, she devoured everything like a storm, and more than half the dishes quickly disappeared.
“Father, look at how she eats. You and Mother haven’t even started yet!” the “white lotus” daughter said pretentiously, though inwardly she was delighted.
Eat, eat more. With this manner of eating, Father will definitely not let her marry the Crown Prince.
Lin Yiyi held a bowl of soup and looked innocently at her so-called father.
“Father… I… I rarely get to eat such good food… I couldn’t help myself…” she said as if about to cry.
Madam Zhang was also about to cry.
This little brat was definitely doing it on purpose!
“Father, I…” Madam Zhang started, but was shut down by Lin Hongda’s look.
“Elder sister, how can you say that? Mother has always left you a portion of good food,” the “white lotus” said while pulling at Lin Yiyi’s sleeve.
“Ah—!”
A bowl of soup spilled directly onto Lin Yiyi’s clothes.
Lin Yiyi forced out tears.
“Little sister, I just ate a bit more… but this is my best outfit…”
Tch. Who can’t act like a white lotus? Let’s see who plays better.
“I… I didn’t do it on purpose!” the “white lotus” panicked.
She had only lightly pulled her sleeve—how did it become like this?
“Is this how you’ve been taking care of her all these years?” Lin Hongda said coldly, suppressing his anger. “The dignified eldest miss of the Lin family says even home-cooked dishes are rare delicacies. Who would believe that?”
With that, he stood up and left in anger.
“Lin Yiyi! What exactly are you trying to do?” Madam Zhang gritted her teeth.
“Nothing. I just said the truth,” Lin Yiyi replied calmly. “I really haven’t eaten such good food before, and this really is my best outfit.”
“If I’m not welcome, I’ll leave.”
She turned and walked away with Xiao Tao.
On the way back, a servant came running.
“Eldest Miss! Eldest Miss…”
Lin Yiyi and Xiao Tao stopped and turned.
“It’s the master. He is calling you to the study,” the servant said hurriedly.
“Let’s go, Xiao Tao,” Lin Yiyi smiled.
Study Room
“Did you call for me?” Lin Yiyi asked innocently.
Lin Hongda looked at her and said slowly, “All these years… you’ve suffered.”
“I haven’t suffered. What’s there to suffer? I have food and clothes, better than many poor families,” she replied softly.
Lin Hongda was momentarily speechless.
After a while, he sighed lightly.
“In ten days, it will be the Hundred Flowers Banquet. I hope you prepare well. You are already sixteen.”
“I… I will prepare properly,” she replied, clutching her skirt tightly.
Seeing her weak and obedient appearance, Lin Hongda was briefly distracted.
He sighed again.
“Later, go to the storeroom and pick whatever you like, take some silver to buy clothes and accessories. Don’t wear these old clothes at the banquet.”
“Mm,” she replied softly.
“Also… don’t eat too fast at the banquet. Be mindful of your manners.”
“Mm.”
“I hope you can marry a prince. Don’t embarrass the Lin family.”
She did not respond.
“You don’t even ask which prince I want you to marry?”
“I… I’m not good at music, chess, calligraphy, or painting… I only have strength…” she said weakly.
Lin Hongda felt like he had punched cotton—no reaction at all.
Just then—
Knock knock.
“Come in.”
“Master, Madam is here,” the servant reported.
“Let her in.”
Madam Zhang entered immediately.
“Master, you called for me?”
Seeing Lin Yiyi there, her eyes were filled with hatred.
“Take Yiyi to the storeroom later. Let her choose whatever she wants, and give her 1,000 taels of silver. The Hundred Flowers Banquet is coming—Lian’er should also prepare well. Both sisters will attend together. Don’t embarrass the Lin family.”
“Yes,” Madam Zhang replied obediently.
But inside, she was cursing Lin Yiyi a thousand times.
Outside the study, Madam Zhang could no longer hold back.
“What exactly are you trying to do?” she hissed.
“Madam Zhang, Father told you to take me to pick things. Do you have a problem with that?” Lin Yiyi smiled lightly.
“You… don’t get too proud!” Madam Zhang left angrily.
Storeroom
Seeing the massive storeroom, Lin Yiyi swallowed hard.
Oh my god… the Lin family is this rich?!
She was about to strike it rich!
Madam Zhang hurried inside, afraid she would empty everything.
In the next moment, Lin Yiyi rushed to the fabrics and jewelry.
Madam Zhang immediately followed her.
While Madam Zhang bent down to pick things up, Lin Yiyi casually touched a nearby box—
And it disappeared into her space.
She moved slightly and continued “accidentally” making boxes disappear.
She did not take everything—just some “interest” first.
The two of them created chaos for half an hour.
Finally, Madam Zhang barely managed to restore order.
“Madam Zhang, I want that white jade hairpin,” Lin Yiyi said.
Madam Zhang’s heart sank.
“That… is too plain. Take this gold-inlaid one instead,” she quickly said.
After some negotiation, Lin Yiyi finally accepted.
Her gaze drifted to two bolts of silk.
“One for you and one for Lian’er,” Madam Zhang said quickly.
Then she saw her looking at the medicine boxes.
“These are just medicinal herbs. Nothing special.”
Medicinal herbs? Useful. Mine.
“I want 2,000 taels of silver,” Lin Yiyi said.
“Lin Yiyi! Don’t push it! Your father only allowed 1,000!” Madam Zhang snapped.
“Then I want the white jade hairpin,” she replied calmly.
“You—!”
Finally, Madam Zhang compromised with gritted teeth: “Fine. 2,000 taels.”
In the end, Lin Yiyi walked out holding silk, hairpins, 2,000 taels of silver notes, and a century-old ginseng root.
She didn’t even look back.
Behind her, Madam Zhang was likely furious enough to spit blood.