Lin Weiyin suddenly came back to her senses, looking in panic at Lin Mother who had called out to stop her.
“What’s the matter? So absent-minded.” Lin Mother frowned tightly, yet did not think much of it, only assuming she had slept poorly from a stiff neck last night, and smiled as she patted her shoulder. “Now it’s fine.”
“Before, I was worried she was foolish and didn’t understand things, but now it seems it’s a blessing, not a misfortune. Your younger sister is now deeply favored by the Crown Prince; it’s only a matter of time before she gives birth to the imperial grandson. For the family and for you, there are only benefits and no harm!”
“She is now the high and mighty Crown Princess—what benefit could that possibly have for me?” Lin Weiyin watched Lin Yuanjin smiling as she walked side by side with the Crown Prince, surrounded by everyone as they proceeded ahead, no longer showing her former meekness and compliance. Something caught in her chest.
They seemed only a few steps apart, yet it was as if a vast chasm lay between them.
“What are you saying?” Lin Mother did not know what had come over Lin Weiyin today, that she would unconsciously fall into self-pity. She tapped her forehead firmly with a finger, lowering her voice. “Times are different now. You are the Crown Princess’s legitimate elder sister, born of the same mother. Even for her own reputation, she would not let you marry poorly!”
Yes. Lin Weiyin quietly gazed at the Crown Prince’s back, her emotions difficult to calm.
At most, it only meant she would not marry poorly.
From childhood to adulthood, Lin Weiyin had excelled in everything, flawless and outstanding, praised by all for her talent and intelligence. Beneath her, Lin Yuanjin’s existence had always been so dim and overshadowed.
She was superior in every way—then why was it Lin Yuanjin who now stood above others, married to the Crown Prince and receiving his favor, instead of her?
Lin Weiyin looked toward the person at the very front, unwillingness surging from the depths of her heart like a tide.
Everyone entered the main hall, and the maidservants brought freshly brewed tea, placing it by each person’s side in turn.
“Your Highness the Crown Prince may not know—Yuanjin is the youngest daughter of the eldest branch of the family, doted on since childhood. Though you are tolerant, do not spoil her too much.” The Old Madam set her walking stick aside, lifted her teacup, and spoke with a kindly smile.
Lin Yuanjin’s hand holding the teacup paused. Cui Yiyu at her side lightly supported it, giving her a smiling glance. She pressed her lips together and said nothing.
This really was bringing up a sore point.
“The Old Madam is advanced in years; to live calmly and enjoy filial devotion at her knees is enough.” Cui Yiyu smiled faintly as he replied casually, not picking up on the Old Madam’s remark at all.
At such an age, it is better to meddle less.
Cui Yiyu had personally rescued her from beneath the cliff—whether Lin Yuanjin was favored or not, others might not know, but could he not know?
“This nanny looks unfamiliar. Are the people around Jin’er not competent?” Lin Mother, seeing Nanny Zhang frown as she waved away the maidservant who was about to attend Lin Yuanjin, noted her stern expression and unusual bearing, and felt a trace of doubt.
“This old servant was specially sent by His Majesty. Having heard that there were those with improper intentions around the Crown Princess, His Majesty worried that the Crown Princess is young and soft-hearted, and thus ordered this old servant to attend by her side.” Nanny Zhang spoke neither humbly nor arrogantly. “It is said that the contracts of the people around the Crown Princess are still with the Lin family, so they have been brought over.”
The contracts of the Crown Princess’s attendants were still with the Lin family??
The Old Madam frowned. Even the couples of the second and third branches looked at Lin Mother in surprise, clearly not understanding why she had handled matters this way.
“Mother had been overly worried those days and nearly fell ill—perhaps she forgot.” Lin Weiyin stood beside Lin Mother and spoke in explanation. “Fortunately, it is still not too late to hand them over now.”
“That will not be necessary.” Nanny Zhang did not even glance at her, only speaking calmly. “The Crown Prince’s residence does not lack people. Since these individuals are quick-witted and nimble, they may as well remain in the Lin residence.”
“Though Nanny speaks sternly, it is out of goodwill toward me. Mother, please do not take offense.” Lin Yuanjin spoke softly, smiling as she eased the atmosphere.
The Old Madam smiled thoughtfully. “The Crown Princess has been married only a few days, yet your mother already feels as though each day apart is like three autumns. Go and keep her company for a while.”
Lin Yuanjin felt even more uneasy hearing this. Her fingertips unconsciously tugged at Cui Yiyu’s sleeve, drawing teasing remarks from the elders about how the newlywed couple seemed like strands of sugar entwined together, impossible to pull apart.
Cui Yiyu slightly turned his head, his expression calm, as if silently reassuring her. “Go, lest it grow late and you fail to return to the residence in time.” As he spoke, he glanced at Nanny Zhang, signaling her to follow Lin Yuanjin.
Lin Yuanjin immediately understood his implied meaning. Only then did she release her hand, turn, and walk out.
She had nothing to say to these people.
But clearly, the other party did not think so.
On the stone path in the Lin residence garden.
The two walked slowly, each harboring their own thoughts, a considerable distance between them, so distant that they did not resemble mother and daughter at all.
“I wish to speak some private words with Jin’er. Nanny, perhaps you could wait aside for a moment?” Lin Mother looked toward Nanny Zhang and spoke first.
Nanny Zhang glanced at Lin Yuanjin. Seeing her nod, she then withdrew.
Once those who should leave had left, Lin Mother finally broke the strange silence. “Has Jin’er been doing well in the Crown Prince’s residence?”
“So-so.” Lin Yuanjin replied vaguely.
“Jin’er, now that His Highness the Crown Prince favors you, you must also make an effort—give birth to a prince as soon as possible, and your days will be secure.” As soon as Lin Mother spoke, it was an admonition.
The fine lines at the corners of her eyes were evident, clearly the result of years of toil, and having given birth to two daughters, she had not been spared the Old Madam’s cold looks.
Now, the younger daughter before her had brows and eyes like ink painting, standing graceful and poised. Though dressed in fine embroidered silks, she did not appear gaudy. The outer robe in pale azure seemed understated, yet under the sunlight, layers of hidden patterns shimmered and flowed—an extreme of low-key luxury.
Compared to the past second legitimate daughter of the Lin family, she seemed like a completely different person.
“Mother is right.” Lin Yuanjin replied as if obedient, yet in truth absent-minded.
Setting aside whether she wanted to bear the Crown Prince’s child—who even knew whether the Crown Prince could have children?
It would be absurd if he himself were incapable, yet in the end only splashed dirty water onto the woman.
“Don’t blame Mother for talking too much. It’s just unfortunate—originally, your elder sister should have married first, yet who would have thought that once the imperial decree was issued, you would go ahead of her.” Lin Mother exchanged pleasantries for a while before getting to the point, speaking earnestly. “You also know Weiyin has always been intelligent. If she marries into a good family, she will be able to support you in the future.”
Lin Mother reached out to take Lin Yuanjin’s hand, but seeing that she seemed to fear the cold and kept her hands tucked within her sleeves, unwilling to take them out, she withdrew her hand somewhat awkwardly.
“Support?” Lin Yuanjin repeated the suggestive word, blinking, too lazy to circle around the topic, and asked directly, “If Mother has a family in mind, you might as well say it plainly.”
Lin Mother did not waste words and said in a low voice, “What do you think of the Pei family’s heir?”
The Pei family??
Lin Yuanjin’s steps halted. She had already begun to drift off in thought, but those two words suddenly pulled her attention back. Looking at Lin Mother and seeing that she was asking in earnest, astonishment slowly surfaced in her eyes. “I have married the Crown Prince, and you want Lin Weiyin to marry into the Pei family?”
When she asked this, she did not think Lin Mother was confused about the situation or indulging in wishful thinking—she only found it strange.
There were so many families in the capital. For no reason at all, why would Lin Mother think of the Pei family?
“Did someone say something to you?” Lin Yuanjin asked probingly.
If the Pei family had any connection with Lin Weiyin, then the danger she encountered on the mountain path would become entirely clear.
Lin Mother said, “Previously, Madam Pei had hinted that she favored Weiyin and intended to form a marriage alliance.”
“Did she ever say for whom she favored her?” Lin Yuanjin thought for a moment, tilting her head as she asked in return.
“This…” Lin Mother was at a loss for words. Recalling carefully, she realized with a start that it had indeed never been explicitly stated whether it was for the heir—she had merely assumed that Lin Weiyin was well-matched with him.
Not far away, Lin Weiyin stood behind a wooden pillar, her hands clenched tightly.
She had come out under the pretense of sisterly affection just to overhear their conversation. As she drew closer, she heard that they were indeed discussing her marriage—and naturally, she also heard Lin Yuanjin’s subtle disparagement of her.
