“What did you say, Miss? What was found?” Cuizhi asked in confusion.
“Nothing. Help me pick out some clothes. Let’s go take a look.”
The Grand Tutor’s residence had never interacted much with the Lin family before. Yet today they had formally sent a calling card and were even making a personal visit. Most likely, the child had been found.
And if that were the case, Lin Yanxi definitely wanted to see things for herself.
After changing clothes, Lin Yanxi brought Cuizhi with her and headed toward the front hall.
Before she even entered, she heard Lin Yichen’s proud voice ringing from inside.
“I never expected Sister Wanxin to be so amazing! She actually helped find someone’s missing child. No wonder they’re coming to visit today!”
Lin Yanxi’s brows twitched slightly.
What did this matter have to do with Lin Wanxin?
At that moment, Lin Wanxin spotted her standing outside the doorway and said in surprise,
“Why is little sister standing outside instead of coming in?”
Lin Yanxi walked in calmly and casually sat down in the chair farthest away from everyone else.
“What were you all talking about just now?”
She really wanted to hear what exactly Lin Wanxin intended to say.
Lin Yichen lifted his chin arrogantly.
“You came at the perfect time. We were just talking about the Grand Tutor’s residence. You should hear how impressive Sister Wanxin is.”
“Yichen, don’t say such things. It was only a coincidence, nothing important.”
Lin Wanxin spoke modestly, but Shi Rong clearly disagreed and immediately interrupted to explain.
“The young son of the Grand Tutor’s second master went missing half a year ago, and they had been searching without success. The night before we returned to the capital, Wanxin happened to save the young master. So today the Second Madam personally sent a calling card and came to visit, most likely to thank Wanxin for saving her child.”
As Shi Rong spoke, the pride on her face was impossible to hide, as though she herself had performed the heroic deed.
Meanwhile, Concubine Liu listened with growing bitterness.
The moment Lin Wanxin returned, she had already accomplished something so significant. Meanwhile, they had been in the capital for more than three months already, and this disappointing eldest miss—no, second miss now—spent her days wandering outside like a street hooligan.
Compared to Lin Wanxin, it was difficult not to favor the other girl. Let alone Shi Rong.
Concubine Liu had personally raised Lin Yanxi and long regarded her as her own child. Ever since Lin Wanxin entered the Lin family, comparisons between the two daughters had become unavoidable.
And Concubine Liu simply couldn’t accept that the legitimate young lady she had nurtured for over ten years would lose to an adopted foster daughter.
Naturally, she felt deeply dissatisfied.
She repeatedly shot meaningful glances at Lin Yanxi, hoping the girl would put in a little more effort herself.
Catching the hint, Lin Yanxi responded with a reassuring look before turning back toward Lin Wanxin.
“Isn’t Elder Sister supposed to be in poor health? Why was it such a coincidence that you happened to save the young master, and such a coincidence that you also encountered the Second Madam while rescuing him?”
Lin Wanxin lowered her head slightly and covered her lips with a handkerchief as she replied softly,
“That day I wasn’t feeling well to begin with, so I went out for a walk. Who knew I’d encounter such an incident? It was all just coincidence. I even told Madam not to make too much of it that night, but who would’ve expected her to personally send a calling card and visit today to express gratitude?”
A sharp glint flashed through Lin Yanxi’s eyes.
This woman didn’t dare raise her head while speaking.
There was only one explanation for that:
A guilty conscience.
And if she truly was guilty…
Then things were about to get very interesting.
Lin Yanxi suddenly found herself looking forward to seeing what would happen once the Second Madam arrived.
Lin Yichen snorted mockingly, his eyes filled with disdain as he looked at Lin Yanxi.
“Are you jealous of Sister Wanxin?”
“What exactly does she have that’s worth my jealousy?” Lin Yanxi replied lazily. “People who lie end up losing all their hair.”
“You—!”
Lin Yichen immediately clutched his head and shouted angrily,
“That’s nonsense! You’re just jealous of Sister Wanxin!”
Lin Yanxi merely smiled without answering.
Whether someone was lying or not…
She was curious to know herself.
Unable to tolerate Lin Wanxin being bullied, Shi Rong once again turned into a protective hen defending her chick.
“Lin Yanxi, you are supposedly a refined young lady, yet your jealousy runs this deep. It’s also my fault for not properly educating you all these years, allowing you to become this rude and ill-mannered.”
“Starting today, I will personally teach you properly. I don’t expect you to become as outstanding as Wanxin, but at the very least, you should stop disgracing the Lin family name.”
Shi Rong’s words were especially harsh.
Not only did they slap Lin Yanxi across the face, they also indirectly slapped Concubine Liu.
Though furious inside, Concubine Liu had managed the Lin household for over ten years and long learned how to hide her emotions. Just as she was about to refute Shi Rong, Lin Yanxi spoke first.
“Mother is right. It’s all because, for over ten years, you preferred traveling around the world with Father instead of returning home even once to see me.”
“You left me alone in the residence under Concubine Liu’s care. While managing all the businesses Father built from scratch, she also had to raise me at the same time.”
Shi Rong’s expression stiffened awkwardly. She opened her mouth to say something, but Lin Yanxi continued calmly.
“Fortunately, Concubine Liu has managed all the Lin family businesses perfectly over the years and kept the entire household in excellent order. Otherwise, she would’ve had to bear an undeserved reputation on top of everything else.”
That sentence completely rendered Shi Rong speechless.
“I…”
Right then, the Lin family steward entered the room.
“Madam, Concubine Liu—the people from the Grand Tutor’s residence have arrived!”
Shi Rong immediately changed expressions and excitedly rose to greet them.
“Come, follow me to welcome them!”
Everyone left, leaving only Concubine Liu and Lin Yanxi walking behind.
“What you said earlier wasn’t bad,” Concubine Liu admitted.
Lin Yanxi raised her brows arrogantly.
“You should remember how good I was to you just now. When you have time, give me more spending money.”
“You’re still thinking about money?” Concubine Liu nearly exploded. “Aren’t you worried about your own situation? Do you even know who this Second Madam is?”
“I’ve heard a little.”
“The Second Madam’s mother is the current emperor’s elder sister—the only Grand Princess in Beili. Her father is the Nation-Protecting General, and her younger brother is a Cavalry General serving under the War King.”
“She herself was personally granted the title of Princess Yun’an by the emperor. So if Lin Wanxin truly saved her young son, then she’s basically become a benefactor of the imperial family.”
“With such a powerful backer, have you thought about what your future will look like?”
“So that’s how it is…” Lin Yanxi murmured.
But if she truly was a princess with such high status…
Then why had she been bullied into such a miserable state?
“You still don’t have any reaction?”
“What reaction am I supposed to have?” Lin Yanxi asked back.
Although she had provided the location where the child was being held, she hadn’t participated in the rescue that night herself.
So she still didn’t know exactly what had happened.
As for whether Lin Wanxin was lying or not…
She would know the moment she saw that princess.
“Forget it! You really are going to anger me to death. I thought you’d finally become smarter earlier, but it turns out you’re still nothing but a blockhead!”
Furious, Concubine Liu threw down those words and stormed off.