The road ahead would have to be walked by the mother and son themselves. But seeing the young master in his current condition, Lin Yanxi knew that if she did not intervene now, he might not even survive long enough to face that future disaster.
“Your Highness, if you have time, would you mind coming to my room with me for a moment?”
Princess Yun’an understood well that Lin Yanxi would not say such things without reason. There had to be deeper meaning behind her words, so she immediately nodded.
“Of course. I’ll trouble you then, benefactor.”
A slight smile curved Lin Yanxi’s lips, confidence shining in her eyes.
“Your Highness may simply call me by my name.”
Princess Yun’an paused, considering how to address her, before warmly calling out, “Alright, Xi’er.”
“Concubine Liu probably has nothing pressing to do either, right? Why not come along with us?”
Then you can see properly whether my status has truly suffered or not.
Lin Yanxi never missed a chance to regain some dignity in front of Concubine Liu.
“Fine. I happen to be free anyway, so I’ll come take a look.”
Only after all three of them had left did Shi Rong finally come back to her senses.
“What were Wanxin and the others talking about just now?”
Lin Wanxin stared in the direction they had disappeared, the venomous look in her eyes difficult to conceal.
She had originally planned to use this opportunity to build ties with the Grand Tutor’s residence and then rely on Princess Yun’an’s status to further connect herself with the royal family. If that happened, all her future plans would proceed smoothly.
Everything had gone according to plan—until this unexpected twist appeared.
The credit had actually been stolen by Lin Yanxi.
Why?
Lin Wanxin clenched her fists tightly, her nails digging deeply into her palms without her even noticing.
“Wanxin? What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell somewhere?” Shi Rong’s worried voice pulled her back to reality.
She shook her head and said somewhat aggrievedly, “I never heard that younger sister had any connection with Princess Yun’an.”
That single sentence immediately stirred Shi Rong’s resentment.
“She really hid herself well,” Shi Rong muttered irritably. “I truly don’t know how Ruqiu raised her all these years. She’s become so competitive and glory-seeking. Right in front of me, she stole your credit.”
Lin Wanxin lowered her head, unable to suppress the upward curve of her lips.
Since Lin Yanxi insisted on getting in her way, then she could hardly blame her for using a few methods to make her life miserable.
“No, we should go over and take a look together.”
Lin Wanxin pressed a hand to her temple and declined weakly. “Mother, I think I caught some wind earlier and now I’m feeling a little uncomfortable. I want to return to my room and rest.”
“Then what about Lin Yanxi?”
“If Mother is worried, then I’ll trouble you to make the trip personally.”
“Alright, I’ll go check on things. You head back and rest properly. Once I’m done, I’ll come see you again.”
“Mm.”
After separating from Lin Wanxin, Shi Rong headed straight for Xiyan Pavilion.
But before she could even step inside, she was stopped outside the courtyard by the old nanny brought by Princess Yun’an. She could not enter at all.
Inside the room, Lin Yanxi had just finished taking Cheng Ziyu’s pulse.
After letting out a breath of relief, she said, “There’s currently nothing serious. It’s just that Ziyu stayed too long in dark surroundings and suffered prolonged hunger, which damaged his vitality. I’ll prescribe a formula for him. As long as you follow it carefully and nourish him properly, he should recover his energy within a month at the soonest.”
Hearing this, the huge burden weighing on Princess Yun’an’s heart finally disappeared completely. Her gratitude no longer needed words.
“Xi’er, thank you so much.”
“Your Highness, please wait a moment longer.”
Lin Yanxi rose and walked into the inner room.
Not long after, she returned carrying a small embroidered sachet.
“Keep this sachet with him at all times. It will help Ziyu recover more quickly.”
“Alright.” Princess Yun’an hurriedly accepted it. “Thank you.”
Throughout the entire conversation between Lin Yanxi and Princess Yun’an, Concubine Liu had not managed to insert a single word. Even now, her mind remained in a dazed state.
Only one thought filled her head:
So everything she said before was actually real skill… When did she learn all this? Why did I know nothing about it?
“I’m a few years older than you, so how about I shamelessly call you little sister?”
“Sure, no problem.”
“Then little sister Xi’er doesn’t need to stand on ceremony with me either. Just call me Sister Jiang.”
“Alright, Sister Jiang.”
I’ve been getting quite a lot of “sisters” lately, Lin Yanxi thought. First Lin Wanxin, now Princess Yun’an.
Princess Yun’an—Jiang Mingxue—happily acknowledged her response and ordered all the lavish gifts she had brought to be delivered into Xiyan Pavilion.
Line after line of servants carried in enormous chests filled with jewelry, gold, and precious treasures.
Outside the entrance, Shi Rong—still unable to get inside—was completely dumbfounded.
She even complained bitterly that Lin Yanxi was unworthy of receiving such fine things.
Unfortunately for her, Jiang Mingxue happened to hear those exact words as she stepped outside.
Already displeased with someone who repeatedly slandered her benefactor in front of her, Jiang Mingxue immediately replied coldly:
“Xi’er is my son’s savior. That makes her the benefactor of the Zhenguo General’s Manor as well. If she is not qualified to receive these gifts, then tell me—who is?”
Jiang Mingxue directly invoked the influence of her maternal family. Having grown up beside the Grand Princess since childhood, she naturally possessed an overwhelming aura of authority, instantly silencing Shi Rong.
Still unwilling to give up, Shi Rong forced herself to ask one more question.
“Could it be that Your Highness has mistaken the person?”
Wasn’t the young master’s savior supposed to be Wanxin? Since when had it become Lin Yanxi?
Jiang Mingxue’s expression turned icy as she lowered her gaze toward Shi Rong and questioned sharply,
“So you mean that I am blind and foolish enough that I cannot even recognize my own benefactor?”
“No, no! That’s not what I meant!”
Jiang Mingxue merely snorted coldly before leaving the Lin residence hand in hand with Cheng Ziyu.
Over the years, Shi Rong had followed Lin Hongyuan around Northern Li and had been thoroughly pampered by him. It had been a very long time since she had encountered someone with such imposing presence.
Faced with Jiang Mingxue’s pressure, she no longer even had the courage to step into Xiyan Pavilion. In the end, servants escorted her back to her room, where she spent the entire day resting.
Concubine Liu remained inside Lin Yanxi’s room, marveling at the piles of gold, silver, and jewels filling the space.
“You performed quite well today. You gained plenty of face in front of them,” Concubine Liu praised generously.
Lin Yanxi’s expression remained calm, though inwardly she was already overjoyed.
I told you long ago not to underestimate me. This young lady is very capable!
Pretending to remain composed, she asked, “Just ‘quite well’?”
“Alright already. It’s noon now—I’ll have the kitchen prepare something delicious for you.”
“Sounds good!”
Lin Yanxi answered cheerfully and casually picked up the teacup on the table.
But before the cup reached her lips, she suddenly froze.
“It’s already noon?”
Concubine Liu laughed mockingly. “I think what happened earlier has made you so pleased with yourself that you lost track of time. Didn’t you notice the blazing sun overhead already?”
With a loud bang, Lin Yanxi slammed the teacup heavily onto the table. The cup shattered instantly, scalding tea splashing across the back of her hand, though she seemed completely unaware of it.
Concubine Liu jumped in fright and scolded her, “What’s wrong with you? Are you trying to scare me to death?”
Lin Yanxi quickly strode to the entrance of Xiyan Pavilion, anxiously looking around while muttering to herself,
“Father still hasn’t returned? Didn’t he promise last night that he’d come back to have lunch with me?”