The princess’s carriage had already stopped at the entrance.
Shi Rong and Lin Wanxin stood at the front, smiling warmly as they waited for the princess to step down from the carriage.
The moment the Princess of Yun’an descended, Shi Rong’s face nearly bloomed with delight. She flatteringly said, “It is truly an honor for the Lin family to receive a personal visit from Your Highness, Princess Yun’an!”
Princess Yun’an gave Shi Rong a slight nod and replied with a smile, “It is only proper. Your family’s young lady is my benefactor. Without her help, I would never have found my son so smoothly. No matter what, I had to come personally to thank her.”
After speaking, the princess turned toward the carriage behind her and instructed, “Help the young master down so he may thank his benefactor.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
A little boy slowly stepped down with the support of the servants.
He looked about the same age as Lin Yichen, yet he lacked the lively spirit Lin Yichen possessed. The child was painfully thin, his eye sockets sunken, cheekbones sharply visible, and his face deathly pale—as though a gust of wind could knock him over.
Princess Yun’an’s eyes filled with heartache as she looked at her son.
This was her child. He should have been living a life of luxury and comfort, yet for the past half year he had suffered in a dark place under inhuman conditions.
Every time she recalled the scene from a few days ago when she had finally found him, her heart ached unbearably. For several days now she had barely rested, constantly worrying about her son’s condition.
“Yu’er, shall Mother take you to meet the older sister who saved you?” Princess Yun’an asked softly.
Though Cheng Ziyu looked weak and haggard, there was determination in his eyes. He nodded solemnly.
“Alright.”
The princess tenderly rubbed his head and led him forward by the hand.
Seeing this, Shi Rong deliberately pushed Lin Wanxin slightly ahead and said kindly, “This must be the young master. One can tell at a glance he is extraordinary. In the future, he will surely become someone remarkable.”
Princess Yun’an smiled politely, though her gaze continuously searched for the young girl who had read her fortune that day.
At the same time, she exchanged pleasantries with Shi Rong. “Your family’s young lady will certainly have a bright future as well.”
Those words came from the bottom of her heart. She still remembered how strange it had been that day—she had walked up to that girl without saying a word, yet the girl had somehow known her worries and even pinpointed where her child was being held after only a few sentences.
Someone with such abilities might even rival the Imperial Preceptor.
“You flatter us, Your Highness,” Shi Rong said, her heart blooming with joy at the compliment. “Please come inside with us. Tea and refreshments have already been prepared.”
Princess Yun’an nodded and entered the residence while holding Cheng Ziyu’s hand.
As her eyes swept around the estate, she still failed to see the little girl she sought, and her brows gradually furrowed deeply.
Princess Yun’an held a highly respected status, and the fact that she had personally come to offer thanks was an enormous honor. Shi Rong had already spread the news throughout the residence beforehand.
Now everyone in the manor knew that the eldest miss, Lin Wanxin, had saved the young master of the Grand Tutor’s residence. With Princess Yun’an as her supporter, she might even establish ties with the royal family in the future.
People’s attitudes toward Lin Wanxin had noticeably changed, and many secretly discussed which of the two young ladies in the manor was truly superior.
Shi Rong’s vanity had been thoroughly satisfied. She felt increasingly grateful that she had encountered Lin Wanxin in the first place—not only had the girl saved her life, but she was now bringing immense honor to the family. She was practically a lucky star.
Yet while leading the princess inside with overflowing delight, Shi Rong’s smile froze the instant she saw Lin Yanxi.
Both were daughters—so why was one so outstanding while the other was such an embarrassment?
For a moment, Shi Rong even found herself wishing Lin Wanxin were her biological daughter instead.
“Why are you only coming out now?” Shi Rong snapped. “If you offend Princess Yun’an through your rudeness, hurry back to the rear courtyard!”
The moment Lin Yanxi appeared, Princess Yun’an’s heart finally settled. Fortunately, she had not come to the wrong place.
When Lin Yanxi noticed the eager look in the princess’s eyes, she became even more certain that the princess had come specifically for her.
But Shi Rong’s words made her deeply uncomfortable. With a faint smile, she said, “Since you want me to leave, I’ll leave.”
With that, she turned as if about to go.
“Wait!” Princess Yun’an suddenly called out.
Shi Rong glared at Lin Yanxi before awkwardly explaining to the princess, “Your Highness may not know, but this is also my daughter. She has been unruly since childhood and is nothing compared to Wanxin. I fear she may offend Your Highness, so it is better to send her away.”
Then she turned sternly toward Lin Yanxi again. “Princess Yun’an is here today to speak with your elder sister. There is nothing for you to do here, so leave at once.”
Seeing Lin Yanxi about to leave, Princess Yun’an grew anxious and hurriedly said, “Wait, benefactor, please don’t go!”
Shi Rong stepped in front of Lin Yanxi and corrected her with a smile.
“Your Highness is mistaken. Wanxin is the one who saved your son. This girl is nothing more than an unruly troublemaker.”
Princess Yun’an looked baffled. “What did you say?”
Shi Rong quickly pulled Lin Wanxin forward and introduced her smilingly. “This is Wanxin. Isn’t Your Highness here today to see her?”
Lin Wanxin gave a graceful curtsy and said modestly, “That night, I merely happened to encounter the situation and offered a little help. It was nothing worth Your Highness making a special trip for today.”
Watching the two women speak back and forth, eagerly claiming all the credit for themselves, Lin Yanxi found the whole thing rather amusing.
She nudged Concubine Liu’s arm and whispered into her ear, “Just wait. A good show is about to begin.”
Concubine Liu rolled her eyes dramatically. A good show? You’ll be the one crying later.
Princess Yun’an looked at Lin Wanxin with utter confusion, then impatiently brushed past her and walked directly toward Lin Yanxi while holding Cheng Ziyu’s hand.
Over the years she had rarely left her residence or met outsiders. She had never imagined that nowadays just anyone would dare block her path.
A trace of anger appeared on her face as she said, “Who are you? Move aside and stop blocking me!”
Mindful of the princess’s status, Shi Rong no longer dared to obstruct her. She could only shoot Lin Yanxi a warning glare from behind, signaling her to behave herself.
Princess Yun’an walked up to Lin Yanxi and warmly grasped her hands, saying emotionally, “Benefactor, thank you. If not for you that day, I don’t know when my son would have been rescued!”
Lin Yanxi remained calm and composed, her expression unchanged as she replied evenly, “Judging from what happened that day, Your Highness is also a kind-hearted person. Heaven helps those who harbor goodness in their hearts fulfill their wishes.”
She did not take credit arrogantly. Instead, she attributed everything to Princess Yun’an’s own kindness.
“I had searched that place before,” Princess Yun’an said, tears unconsciously streaming down her face, “but I never discovered my son trapped there. If you hadn’t pointed it out, I fear my son and I would have been separated by life and death forever.”
“Mother, it’s alright now. We’ll live well from now on,” Cheng Ziyu comforted her in his childish voice.
Looking at the mother and son, Lin Yanxi could not help sighing softly once more.
This calamity between mother and son had passed, but an even greater disaster still awaited them ahead. If it was not handled properly, the two of them would likely face serious trouble in the future.